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THE 

HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


ANCESTRY AND DESCENDANTS OF 

RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 

AND OF 

RANDALL HOLDEN 


COMPILED BY 

EBEN PUTNAM 

V' 

FOR THE FAMILY OF MR. L. E. HOLDEN 


VOLUME I 


BOSTON 

1923 






‘V 

X (o 












PRE8S OF THE MURRAY PRINTING COMPANY 
KENDALL SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE 






CONTENTS 


Page 

List of Illustrations v 

Preface, by Roberta Holden Bole vii 

Introduction: 1 

Origin and Distribution of the Name 
Armorial and other English families 
Samuel Holden of London 
Suffolk families 

Ancestry of Richard and Justinian Holden 
Randall Holden 

The Story of Richard and Justinian Holden, 


By Roberta Holden Bole 30 

First Generation in America 

Richard Holden 47 

Justinian Holden 57 

Second Generation 62 

Third Generation 96 

Fourth Generation 142 

Fifth Generation 233 

Randall Holden and His Descendants for Five 

Generations 377 

Appendix. Soldiers in Colonial Wars and War of 

Independence 413 

Index 419 


m 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


Part of Richard Holden farm, showing site of homestead, 

Groton, Mass. Frontispiece 

Heraldic; coats of arms of Holden of Lancashire (1, 3), 

Essex (2), Kent (4), and seal of Holden of Aston, War¬ 
wickshire 4 

Holden Chapel, Harvard University 8 

Map of England, showing ancient Danelaw and homes of 

ancestors of Richard, Justinian and Randall Holden 38 

Northern Shore of Fresh Pond, one of the bounds of farm of 

Justinian Holden 58 

Plan of Groton, showing early Holden homesteads 84 

Elizabeth (Holden) Barnard (265-3) 138 

Asa Holden homestead, Shirley 186 

Captain Daniel Holden (16452) 266 

Lowestoft china presented to Hannah Brintnall on her 

marriage to Peter Holden 268 

Oliver Holden (19274) Composer of “Coronation’' 298 

Sampler worked by Ellen Holden 338 

Randall Holden house, Warwick, R. I. 386 

Sampler worked by Catherine (Holden) Lippitt (R83—1) 396 





t 




PREFACE 


The first attempt at anything resembling a genealogy of the 
Holden family was made by Abiel Holden (1798-1863) of Reading, 
Mass., whose manuscript is dated 2 Jan., 1814, undoubtedly drawing 
from the data preserved by his uncle Asa Holden, in the latter’s 
“Journal” begun in 1803. This was supplemented by the account 
by his brother Luther (1805-1865) in 1848, but how much earlier 
Luther wrote the “history” which he copied in 1848 has been left 
for posterity to guess. In that year he contemplated enlarging his 
record and printing it for distribution in the family, but nothing 
came of the plan. The two accounts, differing in some particulars, 
are given in the first chapter. An independent contemporary source 
of information is the narrative of Abner Holden (Joseph, Justinian ), 
who recorded in 1805 what he had learned from his father concerning 
Justinian’s family. Each of these narratives was limited to the 
immediate family group of the compiler. 

It was not so very long after this date that Frederic A. Holden 
(R6423.51) of Washington began to pick up information about his own 
line, which was from Randall Holden, the Rhode Island pioneer. 
We know from his own statement, in writing of the family of Richard 
Holden of Charlestown, N. H>, that he copied the gravestones there 
in 1858, and this must have been about the time he took up the idea 
of preparing a family history of the Holdens, and it is unquestionable 
that he had the belief then, derived from the Abiel and Luther 
accounts, that Randall was a brother of Richard Holden, the pioneer 
of Groton, Mass., for in his copy of the sketch by Luther he had 
changed the name “William” (the brother of Richard who is said 
by Luther to have gone to Rhode Island) to “Randall.” 

Prior to 1867 he had corresponded with a number of people of the 
name. In a letter of his of 1877, written to Hiram Holden of Antwerp, 
N. Y., he refers to “your letter of June 28, 1867, which was a prompt 
reply to some inquiries I made. ” In this letter he writes that he has 
kept at work on the genealogy during his leisure time and states 
that he has collected many family records. In 1877 Mr. Holden 
was using the blank form for collecting information, of which we 
have many examples, and which was well-designed. It had evidently 
been in use by him for some time. In the letter above-mentioned 
he writes, “In order to assist me in the best manner to complete our 
family history, the Holden Historical and Genealogical Society of 
America was organized here, at the national capital, in July last. 


Vlll 


PREFACE 


Vice-presidents and corresponding members have been elected in 
almost every state in the Union.” He signs himself “secretary” of 
the society. 

At the same time, Grinfill B. Holden, who belonged to the Otis- 
field, Me., branch, had already collected data for a history of Otisfield 
and the Holdens there. This he had probably been encouraged to do 
through knowing F. A. Holden, both being in the employment of the 
Government in Washington. Mr. G. B. Holden did not give all of 
his material to the latter, who, however, undoubtedly obtained what 
he had of that branch from him. Air. G. B. Holden continued his 
work up to his death, making some attempt to complete the record 
at the request of the late Air. L. E. Holden of Cleveland, Ohio, into 
whose hands the G. B. Holden material eventually fell. 

Some time in the nineties, Mrs. A. L. Bullock w T as engaged by a 
member of the Holden family to compile a genealogy of the 
descendants of Samuel Holden, son of Richard of Groton, and 
collected a certain amount of material, having the aid of G. B. 
Holden. The latter and Mrs. Bullock corresponded and compared 
notes and had access to the same material. 

It is noteworthy that all of this work by those mentioned seems 
to have been confined to town vital records or printed sources, with 
only occasional delving into deeds and probate, but no systematic 
search was made of the latter important sources, nor of other sources 
quite as important, except that Air. F. A. Holden used the records 
of the Pension Office at Washington, and obtained some very im¬ 
portant details there. 

Mr. F. A. Holden was active in correspondence in the late sixties, 
again in 1876 and the two or three years following, and again about 
1891, and had carried on his work intermittently in the meantime. 

Mr. L. E. Holden of Cleveland was early interested in the gene¬ 
alogy of his own branch, and from the time when he was a young man 
had collected a fund of stories and anecdotes concerning members of 
the family. He did not, however, approach the subject in a sys¬ 
tematic way until much later in his life, though always interested 
in Air. F. A. Holden’s efforts. He was at one time president of the 
Holden Historical and Genealogical Society. 

Eventually Air. L. E. Holden purposed to make a thorough search 
of the Massachusetts records for the landed history of the family 
down to the period of the Revolution and to collect information 
regarding the service of the members of the family in the Revolution. 
With this end in view, as well as in order to learn all he could con¬ 
cerning his own ancestry in all ascending lines, he retained Mr. Eben 
Putnam to do systematic research, and about 1907 purchased of 
Air. F. A. Holden the latter’s manuscript history of the descendants 
of Richard and Justinian Holden. In 1912, in a letter to Mr. Raleigh 


PREFACE 


ix 


W. Holden of Honeoye Falls, N. Y., he writes as follows: “I am 
pleased to know you have been working up data on the Holden 
Family. I have been doing it for forty years or more. I have worked 
out the military history down to and including the Revolution and 
pretty much all of the landed history of the family in New England.” 
He then adds his intention of making the material known. “I shall 
publish it as a monument to the family. . . . My work would be 
a complete history of the family in England and the United States, 
coming down to the time of the Revolution. I intend to devote 
all the time and money necessary to complete the work. ” In this 
letter he mentions the fact that Mr. Putnam 1 is still employed by 
him in this work. 

But the following year, 1913, Mr. L. E. Holden died, so that he 
was unable to see the materialization of his plan. 

Mr. Raleigh W. Holden had become interested in the family 
genealogy some time prior to 1911. He wrote to Mr. L. E. Holden 
and also corresponded with Mr. Putnam. From the latter he learned 
that he would be duplicating what had been already done if he 
attempted to construct the genealogy from the early days, but that 
it would be wiser for him to build on what had been completed, and 
to devote his energies to collecting information regarding the families 
of the present day and the generations which had come on to the 
stage since Mr. F. A. Holden’s most active period of work. 

These suggestions were adopted and met with the encouragement 
of Mr. L. E. Holden who, however, did not see fit at that time to 
place his own materials in the hands of Mr. Raleigh W. Holden, first 
desiring to see how successful he might be and also whether Mr. 
Putnam, who was incapacitated at the time, would be able to carry 
on the more personal work in which Mr. L. E. Holden was interested. 

The location of Mr. Raleigh W. Holden in a small town in north¬ 
western New York, far from the great libraries and from the original 
records which are necessary for the construction of a genealogy, 
rendered his work one largely of correspondence, and that broken 
by the requirements of his business. He, however, did visit Boston 
and certain other places in New England, seeking genealogical 
information, and obtained many valuable records from Vermont 
and New Hampshire. 

After the death of Mr. L. E. Holden, Mr. Raleigh W. Holden 
came to Cleveland and consulted the family of the former as to the 
possibility of his being entrusted with Mr. L. E. Holden’s records 
and the completion of the genealogy. His earnestness and his enthu¬ 
siasm lent compelling confidence, with the result that the entire 
collection was sent to his home in Honeoye Falls, with permission 
to use it in the large work he had undertaken. 

1 The statistical and genealogical data required for this “ Preface ” was furnished by Mr. Putnam. 


X PREFACE 

Mr. R. W. Holden made extracts from the F. A. Holden manu¬ 
script, and to a considerable extent incorporated with these records 
what he had obtained by correspondence and through examination 
of printed books and original records; but at this point the United 
States entered the World War; Mr. Holden went to France with the 
Young Men’s Christian Association, while there yet remained much 
ground to be covered to complete his compilation. 

On his return in the summer of 1919, Mr. Holden took up his task 
with fresh zeal. He had the help of his wife and the support of his 
father who was deeply interested, and doubtless, had his life been 
spared, the work would have continued until such time as it was 
in shape for publication. This was not to be. Within a few weeks 
after his arrival in this country he was taken ill with pneumonia 
and died in October of the same year. This left the genealogy once 
more adrift. 

As the writer had been in constant correspondence with Mr. 
Raleigh W. Holden, and as most of the records had belonged to her 
father, Mr. L. E. Holden, Mrs. Raleigh Holden consulted her as 
to what was best to be done with them. Feeling that the devotion 
and time given to the subject over a period of so many years by 
these early compilers should be brought to some fruition, and also 
because correspondence had revealed the fact that there were count¬ 
less numbers of people of the name or of the line who were anxious 
to see the work in print, it was determined that it should be con¬ 
tinued and brought to a conclusion with as much dispatch as pos¬ 
sible. To this end and for these reasons, Mr. Eben Putnam whose 
work along genealogical lines is so well known, was re-engaged to 
complete and publish the book. As he had compiled the data con¬ 
cerning the early generations of the Richard and Justinian Holden 
lines for Mr. L. E. Holden, and so was already familiar with the sub¬ 
ject, it seemed much the wisest course to turn the remainder of the 
work over to him. 

It has proved a much larger task than at first estimated. In the 
effort to discover how completely the field had been covered, a cir¬ 
cular letter was sent to all families enumerated in the records pre¬ 
viously compiled, enclosing a list of the heads of these families and 
asking for names of individuals whom the recipients of the letter 
did not find included in the list. By this means about one thousand 
new names were acquired, showing the extent of the work still to be 
done. To get the data concerning all these families, it is estimated, 
will take one or two years more. It has been thought, therefore, 
best to complete the records of the generations through the Revolu¬ 
tionary War period which were so nearly finished, and publish these 
in a first volume without further delay. 

The entire collection was placed in the hands of Mr. Putnam in 


PREFACE 


xi 


the summer of 1921. Mr. Putnam had been previously engaged to 
compile a sketch of the family of Randall Holden of Rhode Island, 
neither Mr. L. E. Holden nor Mr. R. W. Holden having devoted 
much attention to that interesting group. The present volume, the 
result of what was at first entered upon with merely the intention 
of assuming editorial duties proved to be what may truthfully be 
described as an entirely new compilation. 

It has been found, through Mr. Putnam’s investigations, that 
many families hitherto supposed to be connected with the parent 
stem of Richard and Justinian Holden were of distinct origin. There 
have been found several of the name in New England in the period 
prior to 1800, some quite early, who were emigrants from England or 
from Ireland, where there are many bearing the name. Also the New 
Jersey family has representatives in sections where some of the New 
England settlers are found. It was, in the early days of genealogical 
study, a common failing to attempt to find a common origin for all 
persons bearing the same surname. All the early compilers of the 
Holden Genealogy fell into this error, and the task of unraveling 
the entangled threads has been at times difficult. The present work 
will be found free from hazardous guesses, and a chapter in the 
second volume will be found devoted to a summary of families which 
have come to notice who are of other Holden stems. 

Mention is due in this place of the cooperation of other members 
of the family, to whom credit is given in the footnotes. The late 
Austin Holden compiled a genealogy of the descendants of Captain 
Nathaniel Holden (1865), which has been incorporated in this work, 
and Mr. Roswell O. Holden has generously placed at Mr. Putnam's 
disposal his extensive collection of Holden material gleaned from 
Massachusetts printed town records and other sources. Mr. R. O. 
Holden’s labors were unknown to the writer or to Mr. Putnam until 
after most of the present volume was in type, but his freely offered 
assistance meets with as ready appreciation. 

The late Edward S. Holden, the astronomer, was much interested 
in the genealogy of the line of Justinian Holden, of Cambridge, 
Mass., and brother of Richard. He collected material, of which 
copies in part seem to have fallen into the hands of both Mr. F. A. 
Holden and Mr. R. W. Holden. Professor Holden long labored 
under the misapprehension that Justinian Holden came from Kent. 
Investigation carried on in England by Mr. Putnam twenty-five 
years ago proved his surmise incorrect, and though forced to give 
up this theory he printed in the New England Historical Genealogical 
Register for 1897 much material concerning the Kentish family, 
that it might be saved and made available. 

In 1911, the record of the baptism of Justinian Holden was found 
in the very neighborhood where Mr. Putnam had thought the family 


Xll 


PREFACE 


lived, at Lindsey, Suffolk, by Mr. J. Gardner Bartlett, who com¬ 
municated the discovery to Mr. Putnam, and the latter placed this 
information in the hands of Mr. L. E. Holden who thereupon author¬ 
ized a further examination of records to be made under Mr. Putnam’s 
direction. This resulted in unearthing certain facts which, added 
to what was already in hand, led to the publication by Mr. Putnam 
of the article entitled, “Notes on the Genealogy of Richard and 
Justinian Holden,” in the Genealogical Magazine for December, 1915. 

Further information, gathered more recently under direction of 
Mr. Putnam, relating to English Holdens, is to be found in the 
Introduction to this volume. 

In compiling this genealogical record there have been used not 
only the various town records, but county and state records. In 
footnotes, Massachusetts Archives are simply denoted by the 
word Archives, followed by volume and folio. Revolutionary Rolls 
is used to designate the printed records of Massachusetts Soldiers 
and Sailors in the Revolution. Where the footnote refers to town 
records, it is to be understood that the records of that town in which 
the event occurred are intended. Where baptisms are given, the 
church being designated, it is understood that the church records 
are quoted. Vital Records refer to that series of publications sub¬ 
sidized by the Commonwealth, which, although not actual transcripts 
of the town record, are alphabetical summaries to 1850 of the town 
and church records and cemetery inscriptions, including many collec¬ 
tions of genealogical data in private hands, usually entries in the 
family Bible. These volumes are not official, and errors are often 
met with, but usually the information given is correct. 

It is not considered necessary to quote volume and page of probate 
records, nor case or file numbers in court records as a rule. Important 
deeds are quoted, volume and page, but it is not necessary to quote 
all such references, for the county records in Massachusetts are 
so admirably calendared that any one desiring to find the original 
record can easily do so, having the name of grantee or grantor. 

Where reliance has been placed solely upon the manuscripts of 
Mr. F. A. Holden or Mr. R. W. Holden, or any other compiler of 
data, the reference is given, as F. A. Holden Ms., or R. W. Holden 
Ms., etc. Other references will be readily understood. So far as 
possible the genealogical matter has been condensed, important and 
necessary data in hand being given, so that the reader may learn 
the reason for accepting the facts in the manner presented. 

Secondary or doubtful names of children are repeated in paren¬ 
thesis, thus Mary (Polly). A date within parentheses following 
another date indicates that two authorities disagree. Important 
divergences are referred to original authorities. 

There are many cases where the marriage record has not been 


PREFACE 


xm 

found, but the intention of marriage is of record. In such cases the 
date of the intention is given in parenthesis. The marriage usually 
followed in from one to three weeks. Ages at death are not always 
reliable, and many errors in dates are found on gravestones, but 
usually these are not serious. 

Warnings from a town are not derogatory to the character of the 
intending resident. Each town carefully guarded its prerogative to 
prevent a settlement which might lead to town aid or support at a 
later date. From about 1700 to 1780 it was customary to “warn” 
or “caution” against all new comers, and these town warnings are 
of great value in tracing the migrations of a family. W 7 here a pur¬ 
chase of lands was made and where the new comers possessed con¬ 
siderable property these steps were usually not taken. 

In all probabilities, either through male paternal or maternal 
lines, every male Holden descending from the brothers Richard and 
Justinian is eligible to the Society of Colonial Wars, and the greater 
proportion to the Society of Sons of the American Revolution. 
Societies of like limitations are open to women. The references given 
in this volume should make it comparatively easy to supply the nec¬ 
essary proofs for those who care to take up their privileges. 

The system of denoting place in the family is easily understood. 
Richard has the figure 1 and Justinian the figure 2. To Randall 
Holden has been given the letter R. The eldest child is 1, the next 2, 
and so on. Thus Justinian son of Richard is 12, he being the second 
child of the founder, and his eldest son, Samuel, is 121. In the case 
of children above the ninth, the letter J is used for 10, K for 11, L for 
12. There are few instances of this kind. Ephraim ( Stephen , Stephen, 
Bichard), wdiose symbol is 193L, indicates that he is the twelfth 
child of the third child of the ninth child of the founder, Richard. 
It will be observed that the number of digits corresponds with the 
generation. The names in italic following the name are those of 
each ancestor in the male line. All descendants of Ephraim have 
the first four digits in the symbol the same. A Holden in the ninth 
generation meeting another of the same generation, without knowing 
the names of their ancestors, if recalling what their “number” was 
in tfiis book, could determine their exact degree of relationship in 
less time than it takes to read these lines. 

Only male lines are continued. The names of all grandchildren 
of a male Holden are given if known. The children of daughters 
appear under their mother’s name. The same system of “ numbering ” 
applies to them. Thus if the daughter of 19356 is the fifth child, 
her number is 19356-5 and her fifth child would be 19356-55. A 
dash after a series of figures always indicates that the person is to 
be looked for under the person whose “number” precedes the dash. 
For easier reading of the numbers there is a period placed between 


XIV 


PREFACE 


the fifth and sixth figure, thus 19562.35. The great majority of 
descendants of the Holden founders in this country are today in the 
eighth generation but there are a number in the tenth generation, 
and a few instances of the eleventh. 

Maps will help in tracing the movements of the family. Richard 
and Justinian first settled along the border of Cambridge and Water- 
town, and in Woburn. The next generations are found in Groton, 
in Woburn and in Westminster, Concord and Sudbury, whence 
they spread to neighboring towns. Thence one line moved east¬ 
ward, another northward, and another southward. Vermont became 
a favorite place of settlement. Northern and central New York 
attracted settlers soon after the Revolution, as did the northern and 
northwestern parts of Pennsylvania and adjoining parts of New 
York. Thence the tide of migration moved to Ohio and still further 
west. One branch of the family early sought more southern climes, 
but their descendants must not be confounded with the New Jersey - 
Carolina family nor with the New Jersey-Virginia family, nor with 
descendants of the many late emigrants to the middle and southern 
states. The descendants of Caleb (John, Stephen, Richard) form a 
large and influential group in the province of Ontario, with offshoots 
in Montreal and along our northern border south of the St. Lawrence 
and Great Lakes. California claims its share of representatives of 
every branch of the family. 


Roberta Holden Bole. 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


INTRODUCTION 

Origin and Distribution of the Name 

In different parts of England from earliest times after contact with 
the Scandinavian conquerors, there were many individuals who for 
some reason or another had the appellation Halden or Holden. 
In some instances this was the name of certain localities, whence 
might have been taken the names of individuals living there. There 
were two or three origins for the name as a family name. Family 
names as such came into use at first among the upper classes and 
even then generally not until the thirteenth century. Gradually 
the custom spread to people of less consequence. It may be assumed 
that the ancestors of the Holdens in America, of whatever stock, 
belonged to families whose name became hereditary as early as the 
thirteenth or fourteenth century (1200 to 1400), and that the families 
this volume deals with can claim an hereditary name as early as any. 1 

We may also assume that most of the Lancashire Holdens derived 
their name from the first owners under the de Lacy family of the 
estate called Holden, and that the bearers of the name in Suffolk 
derived their name from progenitors 'who had in early days been 
called Holden or Halden as their sole name. 

The occurrence of the name in Ireland (comparatively late) is 
undoubtedly due to migration thither after 1400 of persons of that 
name from England, the earliest migration perhaps from Lancashire, 
the later from any part of England; hence even the Irish families 
bearing the name may not have a common origin. 

Intermarriage between persons of the same name but of different 
stocks is common, the possession of a similar name being in itself a 
magnet of some force, especially in new settlements, and intermarriage 
of the different families with other families of different names but 
inhabitants of the same territory has brought the same blood to 
many Holdens who are not connected on the paternal Holden line. 
Thus, all unconsciously, there has been a knitting together of these 

1 Vowels were given different values in different parts of Great Britain, and guesswork as to the origin 
of a name so generally distributed has little value. The letters u and l were interchangeable and l like h 
was sometimes silent. Thus we have the occasional variant of Hoden, Houden, and Hodeng, a spelling 
also perhaps derived from another source. There was a manor in Yorkshire known as Howden alias 
Holden or Houlden. In the time of Henry VII the manor belonged to the Bishop of Durham. Other 
spellings occurring, perhaps variations of other names than Holden as well, are Haldom and Holdom and 
Holdoyn, all in Norfolk; Hodin found in the city of London as well as in Essex, and Hodun and Houden 
found in Kent and in Yorkshire. William Haldone was killed early in the reign of Edward I. Haldan is 
also a Nottinghamshire name. Aylmer de Haldane of Gleneagles, Perthshire, Scotland, was a baron of 
consequence in 1296. The name Haldane has long been honorably known in Scotland. The present Swedish 
name Holden is pronounced Holdeen. 


1 


2 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


various tribes of Holdens through the centuries, as has been the 
case with all families long settled in the same communities. 

Prior to 1600 the bearers of a family name not only had few 
occasions to write their own name, but usually could not do so. The 
name was spelled by clerks as seemed best to them to represent its 
sound, for it may be taken for granted that no attempt was made 
to consider its derivation and consequently correct spelling. 

The name Holden appears in records during many centuries in 
several forms. We have at times the spelling Holden, Hollden, 1 
Holldene, Houlden, Howlden, Holding, Houldeane, etc. The most 
common spelling is Holden and Holding, and these forms are used 
in the same places, at the same time, for the same person. The next 
common form is Houlden. 

Students of nomenclature have given thought to the origin of the 
name. The suggestions are various, but unanimous in agreeing that 
it is derived from an ancient Scandinavian root. Lower, in 1849, 
gave Holdy a fortress or tenement, and Holden , a name probably 
corrupted from Holding in the latter sense, i.e., possessing a tene¬ 
ment. In 1860 he advanced the suggestion that it came from a 
personal name. Harrison gives the name as English, belonging to 
Holden (Yorkshire, Lancashire, etc.), from old English hoi, a hole, 
cave, den, hollow; and under Halden, a form found early in the east 
of England, which he describes as Scandinavian, he groups Haldane 
and Haldean, giving the meaning as shown by the proper name 
Halfdane , as half Danish, from half-r plus Dan-r, half Dane, indi¬ 
cating that the parents were Danish on one side. He instances as 
a proper name Healfdene , a pirate chief killed in 1011, and states 
that the modern Norwegian form is Halvden. Barber gives as an 
origin for a family name, the place Holden in Lancashire; and deriva¬ 
tion from Swedish Hollden , and Danish Holten , a personal name, or 
old Norse Halfdan. 

It is a fact that in the earliest appearance of the name in Lancashire 
it is already attached to a person, who was of Holden, but whether 
the man took his name from the place, or the place from the man 
is not determined. Holden was an estate, and not a large one at 
that, held of a manor, but may have been a manor itself in early 
times. 

The Domesday survey found many individuals called Haldanus, 
Haldane and by other forms of the name. Haldein early occurred in 
Norfolk. 2 Later the names Holdenby and Holdenhurst are found. 

The word holt in Anglo-Saxon signified a copse, and den in so-called 


1 Symon Hollden was assessed at Earls Colne, Essex, in the ship money tax of 1636, the only one of the 
name, under any spelling, found in that assessment in Essex. 

J Hard win “son of Haldein” held lands in Wickingham in time of Richard I, and Roger “son of 
Halden” held lands in Grimueston in that of King John (see Norfolk Feet of Fines). Richard Haldeyn 
was of Great Yarmouth 49 Edw. III. Many instances can be cited. 


INTRODUCTION 


3 


Celto-Saxon signified a deep wooded valley . 1 Not only are there many 
combinations of these words in family names found in England, but 
in Normandy, where the Danes settled, the word liolt> a wood, is 
found, and from it are derived such place names as Terhoulde 
(modern Theroude). 

The name Holden, borne as a surname, has a wider distribution 
in England than commonly realized, and this is as true of the period 
prior to the emigration to New England in the seventeenth century, 
as later. 

Guppy, in his excellent handbook, “Homes of Family Names,” 
mentions the name as peculiar to Lancashire and Yorkshire, and its 
occurrence in Lincolnshire. 2 Concerning the name he says, “Lan¬ 
cashire is the great home of the Holdens. The ancient gentle family 
of the Holdens, of Holden in Haslingden, dates back to the thirteenth 
century; from it there branched off in the sixteenth century the 
Holdens of Todd Hall in the same parish. The Holdens of Ewood 
in Livesey date back to the reign of Henry VIII. The Holdens of 
Aston, Derbyshire, who go back to the beginning of the seventeenth 
century, may hail from the Lancashire stock.” In his grouping of 
names found by taking landowners in the last century, he found that 
the name Holden occurred proportionately to 10,000 in the following 
ratios in the counties named: Lancashire 60, Yorkshire and West 
Riding 12, Suffolk 11, Lincolnshire 10. Unlike many of the names he 
has listed, he gives no suggestion as to the origin of the name. 

It is possible if not probable that the Holdens of Suffolk derived 
their name from one cause and the Holdens of Lancashire from 
another. There appears no connection between the families nor 
between the families found in Suffolk and those found further south. 3 
There is no proof that all the Holdens of Suffolk derived their name 
from the same ancestor nor should it be supposed that such was the 
case. 

The early emigrants to New England, Richard and Justinian 
Holden of Massachusetts and Randall Holden of Rhode Island, were 
respectively from Suffolk and Lancashire. No kinship was ever 
claimed by the Massachusetts family with that of Rhode Island, 
if we except the tradition, which dates only from about 1814, that 
William, a supposed brother of Richard and Justinian, settled in 

1 A valued correspondent writes: “In some instances Holden may be a variant for Halden or Haldein, 
otherwise I consider the name means the ‘dene,’ a valley or dell lying in a noticeable hollow. The name 
appears more frequently in districts where the character of the land would seem to imply existence of sites 
where ‘dene’ may be found: Groton, Kersey and Lindsey lie in distinctly undulating areas.” 

2 Among the Lincolnshire wills of the sixteenth and seventeenth century are many of testators bearing 

names Halden, Haldon, Halding, Alden, Holdinge, Holden, Houldon, Houlden, the last being the com¬ 
moner spelling in the period 1600 to 1640. , 

* There occurs at Henfield, Sussex, the record of baptism of a Richard Holden, son of Charles Holden, 
13 May, 1611. He was perhaps the man of that name, one of eight Holdens living there in 1641. It is 
unnecessary to state that this was not the emigrant. Twenty miles distant, just over the border of Sussex, 
at Tunbridge in Kent, there was a Laurence de la Holdene, whose will was proved in 1328. Nicholas Holden 
of either Sussex or Surrey was burned at the stake “an innocent,” during the reign of Queen Mary, probably 
in 1558, a martyr for his religious opinions. 


4 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Rhode Island. This tradition was evidently due simply to the fact 
that it became known to the Stoneham family that one of the principal 
early settlers in Rhode Island was a Holden. 

It is with considerable satisfaction that an American family points 
out the origin of the emigrant founder of the family. It is natural 
that pride should be felt in the respectable origin of a family. Seek¬ 
ing for that origin, whether it be in the great class of agriculturalists 
or in the commercial classes, or in the so-called gentle families, all 
of whom are with few exceptions derived from the former, is a pecu- 
larity of Americans, who value worth and decent living above dis¬ 
tinction founded on the accident of birth or on wealth alone. 

Suffolk presents a county with numerous manors and innumerable 
small manors. The very heart of the early migration to New 
England, there is hardly a village but what can be claimed as the 
former home of some American family. The southern portion espe¬ 
cially appeals to the New Englander, for in the valley of the Stour 
and along the little streams running into that river from both north 
and south, from Suffolk and Essex, came many of the men who shaped 
the destinies of the Puritan settlements. Groton, a few miles west 
of the town of Hadleigh, was the seat of the Winthrops, and from it 
came the name of Groton in Massachusetts, and immediately north 
of Groton is the small village of Lindsey. West of Lindsey are the 
two Waldingfields, Great and Little, whence came the Appletons, 
and immediately beyond is the town of Long Melford. Between 
Hadleigh and Lindsey lies Kersey; the manor of the same name, 
mostly within the bounds of the parish, now being part of the endow¬ 
ment of King’s College, Cambridge. North of Lindsey is Semer and 
Monks Eleigh. Within a radius of four miles from Lindsey church 
are the villages and towns above mentioned, except Long Melford, 
and those of Brent Eleigh, Milden, Lavenham, Chelsworth, Kettle- 
baston, Watisham, Bildeston, Naughton, Nedging, Elmsett, What- 
field, Aldham, Layham, Boxstead, Polstead, Assington, Newton-by- 
Sudbury, Edwardstone — all places whence came many of the 
neighbors in New England of Richard and Justinian Holden. 

Glemsford, a town of importance to those who would seek infor¬ 
mation concerning the Holdens, is but three miles northwest from 
Long Melford and ten west of Lindsey. Ipswich, the port whence the 
emigrants sailed for New England, is within fifteen miles by road. 

Fifteen miles north northwest of Lindsey is Bury St. Edmunds, 
and a like distance north is the village of Tostock, seven miles east 
of Bury and but three miles south of Pakenham, Thurston being the 
only parish between. Pakenham is but five miles from Bury. These 
are the distances taken from parish church to parish church, the 
extent and shape of some of these parishes being such as to make 
residents in not adjoining parishes yet very near neighbors. 



t \ i i i I | 




/f(?M in £ 


T -i '* 




Holden of Lancashire, 1 and 3 ; of Essex. 2 ; of Kent, 4 
Seal of Holden of Aston 































INTRODUCTION 


5 


The Holdens of Lancashire are too numerous for all to have derived 
their origin from a common ancestor of the thirteenth century, taking 
into account the comparatively slow increase in numbers to 1600 as 
compared with the period since. The Holdens of Sussex or nearby 
Kentish localities are probably the progenitors of the Holdens who 
early settled in southern New Jersey, from whom descend the so- 
called Cape May family, many of those bearing the name in the 
Carolinas, Virginia and Pennsylvania and in parts settled from those 
older locations, not overlooking the fact, however, that many of the 
name from New England also settled in those same regions, especially 
immediately after the American Revolution. William Holden held 
lands in Stopham, Sussex, prior to 1428, and from 43 Edward III to 
4 Richard II (1369-1380) one William de Haldenne, alderman and 
recorder of London, held lands in Kent, at Rochester, Bixle, and 
elsewhere. See also mention below. 


ARMORIAL FAMILIES 

Several families bearing the patronymic Holden have come into 
more or less prominence in England. 

Domesday does not disclose any person bearing the name Halden 
or Holden among the tenants-in-capite, nor among the under tenants 
at the time of the Survey, but the names Haldenus, Haldeinus, Halden, 
Haldene, Haldenus, were borne by ten men who held land in King 
Edward’s time which later fell to the conquering Normans. These 
persons lived in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, Somerset, Cheshire, 
Nottingham, Yorkshire, Berkshire. No less than four were residents 
of Suffolk. 

These names are not found among those listed in the later rolls of 
tenants holding of the crown who were called on to pay the assess¬ 
ments, etc., known collectively as Feudal Aids. Hence it is evident 
that none of the name from the time of King Edward to at least 
1400 held lands directly of the king, or was among the chief land- 
owners. 

Families bearing the name coming into prominence at a later 
period must necessarily have sprung from progenitors who during 
the three centuries following the Norman Conquest were quietly 
making their own place in the world. 

Apparently the most numerous and most important family of the 
name was that settled in Lancashire from the thirteenth century. 
Allied with the above family and also others probably of inde¬ 
pendent origin were families in the neighboring county of Yorkshire, 
in Derbyshire and Cheshire, and Denbigh in Wales. 

The Kentish family of the name is of distinct origin, as were the 


6 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Suffolk and Essex people, who may form one group or who may 
descend from several original bearers of the name, of no kin to one 
another; this being especially true if we accept Halden as the earlier 
form of Holden. 

In those parts of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire which butt 
on Suffolk and Essex, families bearing the name are also found, and 
presumably the name came to them as it did to their neighbors and 
perhaps kin in Suffolk and Essex. South of London, in Sussex and 
in Surrey, were other families. 

Many members of these families, though not recorded in the 
heraldic visitations, are found described as “gentlemen.” Some of 
these families acquired prominence. Among these are those who 
have right to coat armor, and these will now be mentioned, with 
some account of their probable origin . 1 

The distinctive feature of six coats of arms which appear in the 
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, borne by truly armigerous 
families of the name, is the occurrence of ermine or erminois, which 
appears on the field or charge of all but one of the coats, the excep¬ 
tion being a coat given by Dugdale to Holden of Aston, a different 
coat from that which appears in the Visitation of 1663 for the same 
family, and which Dugdale may have considered to be wrongfully 
used by them. 

The earliest of this group of arms is that ascribed in the Visitation 
of 1567, and again in 1613 and in 1664-1665, to the family of Holden 
of Holden, Lancashire. It was described by the Heralds of 1613 as: 
Sable, a fess between two chevrons Ermine , between the fess and upper 
chevron a covered cup Or. Crest: A pheasant proper. 

These arms were claipied by Robert Holden, who signed the 
pedigree of 1613, and who was then the recognized head of the family 
seated at Holden which claimed descent from Adam de Holden. 
This branch of the family were Papists. 

The present family of Holden of Holden are descended from a 
sister of a Robert Holden, the last male in this line, who died in 
1792. Her descendants took the name Holden, but bear as their 
arms, Argent, an escutcheon between six eaglets Gules. 

Representatives in the direct male line of the ancient family of 
Holden of Holden are today found in Lancashire and in America, who, 
if able to prove their descent, are entitled to bear the arms which 
appear in the Visitation of 1613. 

In the year 1663, heraldic visitations were made in Kent and 
Derby. The following arms were granted that year to Robert Holden 
of Hockeridge in Cranbrook, Kent: Ermine, on a chief Gules three 
pears slipped Or. 

1 Other users of coats of arms ascribed to Holden will be found in Burke, all of late date, but apparently 
assumed without authority, or of late grant or confirmation. 


INTRODUCTION 


7 


The arms borne by this Kentish family appear on a silver tankard 
owned by Phineas Holden (21-8) of Norwich, Connecticut, en¬ 
graved about 1735-1750, and adopted probably because of an 
obscure tradition that the New England family had come from 
Kent. Professor Edward S. Holden contributed an article on this 
subject to The New England Historical and Genealogical Register , 
vol. 50, p. 297, where a drawing of the silver tankard is repro¬ 
duced. 

The Visitation of 1663 found a family seated at Aston in Derby¬ 
shire descended from one Robert Holden of that place, who died in 
1659 and who had brothers, and whose father was Henry Holden of 
Wilne in the time of Queen Elizabeth. The representative of this 
family claimed, (Sable) A fess between two chevrons Ermine, but could 
give no proof to his right to those arms. Dugdale has ascribed to this 
family the arms, Gules, a chevron between three crosses crosslet Or. 
It is probable that the Aston family attained consequence after the 
restoration and may have had some tradition that they were 
descended from Holden of Holden which led them to use the arms of 
that family but without the cup. However this may be, the marriage 
in 1742 of Mary, daughter and heiress of Robert Holden, to James 
Shuttleworth carried the estate to the Shuttleworth family. Two 
of her sons assuming the name Shuttleworth-Holden, continued to 
use a coat nearly the same as that described in 1663, viz.: Sable, a fesse 
engrailed, Erminois, Or, between two chevrons Ermine. Crest: A moor 
cock rising Sable, winged Or. This coat is sufficiently different to 
distinguish between the families seated at Aston and Holden, yet 
so far alike as to convey the suggestion that they were originally one. 
Unfortunately genealogy is full of such pretensions, pitfalls for the 
unwary. 

Two other armigerous families, Holden of Darley Abbey, Derby, 
and of Nuttall Temple, Notts, are descended from the Holdens of 
Aston, and bear the same arms, there being some differences in the 
detail of the crest. 

The family of Holden of Wednesbury, Staffordshire, the founder 
appearing to be George Holden of that place, born 1580, died 1640 
sent an offshoot to Daventry in Northamptonshire, one branch of 
which is known as the Rose-Holden family. This family, which 
probably did not claim coat armor until 1600 or later, bore: Vert, a bar 
Erminois between two pheons erect in chief and a bugle horn strung in 
base Or. 

The same arms, but with a different crest, were granted in 
1791 to William Holden of a Worcestershire family, claiming descent 
from Holden of Wednesbury. 

There was a family of Holden in Erdington, Warwickshire, which 
receives extended treatment at the hands of Dugdale in his history 


8 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


of that county. 1 Descent is derived through many generations from 
Holdwinus living in the time of Henry II, and is doubtless correctly 
given for the period from the time of Henry VII. The arms used 
by this family are the same as ascribed to Holden of Aston by Dug- 
dale, and appear on the monument of Humphrey Holden, who died 
in 1641. The arms sometimes ascribed to this family are actually 
the arms granted to Rev. William Lucas Holden (born 1752) who 
was not a descendant of the ancient Erdington family, on his assump¬ 
tion of the name Rose, 2 as mentioned on the preceding page. The name 
has had an independent existence in Warwickshire from ancient times. 3 

From the time of the Tudors the assumption of or grant of arms 
to a person obtaining a certain degree of preferment or success in 
life rarely implied a detailed knowledge of his ancestry, and was in 
most cases made use of to claim unproved ancestry or kinship with 
ancient families with whom no connection could be proved. The 
same thing is done today by persons who adopt the arms of some 
family of similar or of the same name, no connection being known 
or established, and to which of course they have no more legal or 
moral right than has one business house to use or copy the trade-mark 
of another. 

So far as known, no person named Holden living prior to 1640 in 
Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk or Lincolnshire established his right to coat 
armor, or even used coat armor, except John Holden or Houlden of 
Raynham, Essex, whose daughter Elizabeth was wife of Thomas 
Frith of Sonnings in Upminster, Essex. The Visitation of Essex in 
1612 shows the pedigree of Frith with grant to John Frith in that 
year of a coat of arms, Frith empaling Holden, the latter being, 
Sable , a Jess between two chevrons Ermine , in chief two escallops Or. 
The crest was, A sun in his glory Or. The families of the name in 
those counties had representatives fully equal in intelligence and 
worth with representatives of the name in other counties. They 
did not acquire property to the same extent, nor apparently aspire 
to place among the “county families.” This was perhaps due to 
the more industrial nature of the population of the eastern counties, 
and that conditions which served to confer a certain amount of 
distinction on families in the more remote parts were of less con¬ 
sequence in the more populous parts of the country nearer the metrop¬ 
olis, and also from the fact that the Puritan element was much 
stronger in these parts and was less inclined to claim heraldic and 
social distinction or to receive it from the Court party. 

Of a later period was Samuel Holden, of Roehampton, Surrey, 
long recognized as one of the most prominent members of the dis- 

1 Vol. I, p. 893 2 See The Genealogist, 7: 31. 

3 There was an Adam Haldeyn, son of Richard of Coventry, who had rents in Coventry about the time 
of the second or third Edward, and about the same time Thomas son of Thomas Haldeyn held a messuage 
in Coventry. See Ancient Deeds A6424, 6887, 11136. 



Holden Chapel, Harvard University 































































« 







































INTRODUCTION 


9 


senting churches in Great Britain. He was known throughout New 
England for his benevolences through his friend, Reverend Benjamin 
Colman of Boston. These donations during his life reached £5,000, 
a sum doubled by his widow and daughters. The town of Holden 
in Worcester county, Massachusetts, established in 1740, was named 
in his honor. He was a man of the highest character, a merchant, and 
later Governor of the Bank of England and a member of Parliament. 
After his death, which took place 12 June, 1740, his widow gave £400 
to Harvard College 1 for the purpose of erecting a chapel. This was 
done in 1742 and the building, still standing, called Holden Chapel. 2 
Over the west door is carved an elaborate shield exhibiting the 
same arms as used by the family of Holden of Lancashire. Samuel 
Holden may have been of that stock, but his ancestry is traced only 
to his grandfather, Reverend George Holden, rector of Ross, near 
Hull, Yorkshire, in the latter part of the reign of Elizabeth. The 
clergyman’s son, Joseph Holden, was a haberdasher in London, and 
died in 1683, leaving a will proved 13 Nov., 16S3. He was twice 
married. His widow married 28 Jan., 1689, Thomas Parkhurst of 
St. Mary Colechurch, London, stationer. Samuel Holden, son of 
Joseph, married Jane, who survived him, and had three daughters, 
Priscilla, Jane and Mary, all named in his will, 3 by which he directed 
that his personal estate above £60,000 should be devoted to benevo¬ 
lent uses in England or New England. Mary, the youngest daughter, 
married John Jolliffe and thus became the ancestress of Lord Hylton 
of Radstock. 4 

THE HOLDENS OF SUFFOLK 

In Suffolk, at the time William the Norman seized the throne of 
England, there w'ere freeholders bearing the name Halden. 5 This 
we are assured of by the Domesday Survey of 1086, which records 
that in the time of King Edward certain lands as a manor were held 
by Halden, “a Saxon,” in Letheringham. Other Haldens are 
named as freemen and socmen holding lands in Edward’s time in 
Shadingfield, Finsford, Foxhall, Thorpe Hasketon, Thorington and 
Wrentham. 

As we have shown in the section dealing with the origin of the 
name, Halden and Haldein are older forms of the present Holden. 

In course of time even if the name was unknown to the Normans, 
the increase in numbers and in wealth, the amalgamation of the 

1 In or about 1764 Hurd engraved a bookplate for the use of Harvard College and although the college 
seal never was officially so described or used, incorporated a crest, the “sun in his splendor,” being as it 
happens, the same, but without the three volumes, as the crest used by Frith of Essex as described above. 
It also appears in the Vassall arms. 

2 Foundation laid June, 1742. Chapel completed February, 1744. (See Diary of Edward Augustus 
Holyoke.) 

3 fVoters' Gleanings, I: 509. 4 Letter of Lord Hylton, 1907. 

5 In the time of King John a messuage in Gorleston, Suffolk, and lands there were held of the king by 
one Robert Haldeyn. Gorleston is in the extreme northeastern corner of Suffolk near Yarmouth in Norfolk, 
where the name Holden is early found. 


10 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


older stock with the newcomers’ descendants, brought many of the 
old Saxon names into prominence, and like other names they became 
hereditary. It cannot be said with certainty that the progenitors 
of the first Haldens, Holdeyns, and Holdens we find using those 
family names, were Saxon or Danish in race, but we find the name 
is a fairly representative one in Suffolk in the sixteenth century, 
borne by individuals in several parishes, undoubtedly descendants 
of one or more of those persons whose existence two and three cen¬ 
turies earlier has been revealed by examination of ancient records. 

Of the Suffolk families two groups, the Tostock-Thurston and the 
Lindsey-Groton families, were related. The exact relationship is 
not clear because of failure as yet to learn the names of the parents 
of William Holden, Sr., of Lindsey, and of the two clergymen, the 
brothers William Holden, vicar of Pakenham, and Richard Holden, 
rector of Tostock. In Groton lived the Winthrop family, the manor 
belonging at the time of the migration to John Winthrop, leader of 
the great migration of 1630, and first governor of the Massachusetts 
Bay Colony. In Thurston and Pakenham lived the Bright family, 
and at the time of the migration Netherall manor in those 
parishes was in possession of Thomas Bright, whose nephew Henry 
accompanied Winthrop to New England, and settled in Water- 
town. In 1630 it is supposed that William Holden of Lindsey and 
Groton had been dead several years, as had the Reverends Willliam 
and Richard Holden, and at that time the sole surviving male repre¬ 
sentative of the Thurston families was James Holden. He had inher¬ 
ited from his uncle and brothers what realty they had possessed, and 
was for the place and times a well-to-do man and of some local conse¬ 
quence. 

Adam Holden, who was undoubtedly the “Kinsman Holden” 
named in the will of John Holden, the brother of Janies, received 
a legacy from their mother. 

The family tradition asserts that the emigrants had a brother 
Adam, a fact established by the discovery of the baptism of a son 
of that name to William the father of the emigrants. The tradition 
also names a James Holden as interfering to save the emigrant 
brothers from the consequences of their attending a nonconformist 
meeting. Even as the penalty threatening the youths is exaggerated 
in the tradition, so too is the social position of their deliverer; but 
here in these two groups of families we find the conditions upon which 
the tradition was based, and nowhere else in Suffolk could these 
conditions be duplicated. 

It is therefore evident that Richard and Justinian Holden were 
known to the Tostock family, and that their brother Adam probably 
became a member of the family of the widow Margerie Holden, 
perhaps after his father’s second marriage. 


INTRODUCTION 


11 


The progenitors of this family because of the long continued 
existence of the name in the vicinity are to be sought in the region 
between Bury St. Edmunds and the River Stour, the southern 
boundary of Suffolk. 


THE HOLDENS OF GROTON AND VICINITY 

In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries there was seated in 
the region adjacent to Groton, a family bearing the name Holdeyn 
or Holden. The non-existence of records which would afford informa¬ 
tion concerning successive generations of persons who may have lived 
during that period precludes the presentation of more than selected 
facts gleaned from records which have survived the ravages of time. 

Robert Holdeyn 1 held of the manor of Groton, as tenant of Ralph 
de Berners, certain lands which were held of him by other tenants. 
This was in or not later than 1286. 

There is an earlier mention of one Ralph de Hodeng, 2 elsewhere 
described as Holdeng, who with Thomas de Lascelles purchased in 
1247 land in Swynland of Adam de Cokefeld, 3 of that family which 
held lands in Groton, Lyndsey and Kersey, as mentioned below. 

Groton in Suffolk, England, from which Groton in Massachusetts 
obtained its name, is a village in the southern central part of the 
county, about fifteen miles from Ipswich and about four or five 
miles from the River Stour, which separates Suffolk from Essex, and 
a trifle less distant from the town of Hadleigh. Within a radius of 
about three miles are the whole or parts of the parishes, circling from 
east to south, of Hadleigh, Layham, Boxford, Assington, Newton, 
Edwardstone, Great and Little Waldingfield, Milden, Brent and Monk 
Eleigh, Semer, Lindsey, and Kersey. 

In the northern part, next to Kersey, was a small manor known as 
Castelyns. This name survives in Castlings Heath and Hall. In 
the time of Edward I this manor was held of the Priory of Kersey 
by Sir Gilbert Castelyn, who died in 1293. 

Groton, the main manor, in early times was held by the Monks 
of Bury St. Edmunds, and was leased to Robert de Cokefield, whose 
son and successor, Adam de Cokefield, died about 1209. His only 

1 In 18 Edward II (1324-1325) there was a Sir Robert de Holden, comptroller of the King’s Household 
(Wardrobe Accounts in Proc. Soc. of Antiquaries, Vol. 122), and the following year he was commissioned 
by the King as custodian of the castle of Hastyng (Abb. Rot. Orig., 290: 304). 

2 Ralph de Hodeng as his name usually appears, was however also known as Ralph de Holdeng, and 
under the latter name witnessed a grant by Lascelles of lands in Bekensfeld (Beaconsfield, Bucks) in 
the reign of Henry III ( Ancient Deeds, A. 29). This Ralph is said to have married one of the daughters 
and coheirs of Walter de Wyndlesore, but Morant in History of Essex, asserts Philip married the heiress 
and that Ralph was his son, and that the last named died in 1247. However this may be, the other daughter 
of Walter de Wyndlesore married Duncan Lascelles. By these marriages Lascelles and Holdeng came into 
possession of lands in Beaconsfield and other places. The Holdeng, or as the name now was usually 
spelled Hodeng, family remained in Great Maplestead and Heveringham, Essex, until the early part of 
the fourteenth century, when their manors and other estate passed by failure of male heirs to the Under¬ 
wood family. The name often appears as Hoddynges, and sometimes the h is missing. Morant gives as 
arms of Hodeing: Gules, a bend vaire, Azure and Argent, within a bordure of the same. 

* Feet of Fines, Suffolk, 1247, No. 40 31 Henry III. 


12 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


child, the Lady Nesta, also held the manors of Cokefield and Semer. 
She died in or about 1248, childless though thrice married, and her 
manors fell to her cousins, one of whom, Ralph de Berners, having 
one third bought another third part, and having to maintain his 
title against the Abbot of St. Edmunds, who during the last 
hours of the Lady Nesta by the connivance of her husband had 
intruded upon the manor of Groton, succeeded in establishing his 
right by wager of battle before the justices of the King’s Court at 
Westminster. This was prior to Jan., 1291, 1 and probably in 1286. 

Nevertheless De Berners released to the Abbot his two thirds of 
the manor, and the manor remained in the hands of the monks until 
the dissolution of the monasteries in the time of Henry VIII, when 
it was sold to John Winthrop, a successful clothier of London, in 
whose family it remained until sold by John Winthrop, the first 
governor of Massachusetts Bay, in 1631. 

There is extant a copy of the “Iter” of Solomon of Rochester 
who made in the course of his circuit a list of the tenures held of the 
Honor of Clare, the fourteenth and fifteenth year of the reign of 
Edward I (1286). The entries for the hundreds in Suffolk composing 
the Liberty of St. Edmund have been copied into more than one of 
the cartularies of the Abbey, and another appears in the Book of 
Tenures of the Honor of Clare. This latter is of later date than the 
former, and the spelling of names follows the Elizabethan style. In 
the earlier copy occur the names of Robert and John Holdeyn, but 
in the latter the name appears as de Holden. The former style is 
to be preferred. 

The entry is as follows: “They say that Robertus Holdeyn holds 
of Sir Ralph de Berners a messuage ten acres of land and pays the 
said Ralph for himself and his tenants below written, holding their 
tenements of him yearly 3 sh. 4 pence, and that he does suit of 
court every three weeks. And this belongs to the tenement of the 
said Sir Ralph de Berners in the suit which is of the aforesaid fee of 
Clare. 

“In Linsey which is of the above fee of Clare 
John Poer held of the same Robert V /2 acres and rent per annum 
5 pence. 

Roger Drury held of the same Robert 2 acres and rent to the same 
Robert per annum 3 pence. 

Robert le Seriaunt held of the same Robert 2J^ acres and rent to the 
same Robert per annum 8 pence. 

Gilbert le Chasteleyn held of the same Robert 5 acres and rent to 


1 License was granted to the Abbot and Convent to retain the manor released to them by de Berners, 
8 Jan., 1291 ((Cal. Patent Rolls, 1281-1292, p. 414). The charter of Ralph de Berners, knight, undated, 
releasing to the Abbot of St. Edmunds two thirds of the manors of Groton and Semer, and that of John, 
son of Bartholomew de Crek, releasing his purparty to de Berners, is found in the Cartulary of the Cellarer 
of St. Edmunds (Records of the Duchy of Lancaster, Misc., Book 5). 


INTRODUCTION 


13 


the same Robert per annum 18 pence and the said Robert held 
this of the heirs of Peter de la Tye of Linsey and it is of the fee of 
Clare. 

Simon de Uleye held of the same Robert 3^2 acre pasture and rent to 
same Robert per annum 1 penny, and it is of the fee of Clare. 
Thomas Aunsel held of the same Robert 13^2 acres and rent to same 
Robert per annum 3 pence. 

Heirs of Roger Grey held of the said Robert 1 acre and rent to the 
same Robert per annum 2 pence, and it is of the fee of Clare. 
Heirs of said Roger held of said Robert 1 acre and rent per annum 
2 pence. 

John Holdeyn held of Hervey son of Adam 2 acres and rent per annum 
to the same Hervey 6 pence.” 

The Honor of Clare, of which the lands held by the Holdens were 
a part, appertained to the Earls of Clare, whose principal seat in 
early days was at Clare in Suffolk. The holder of the title in the time 
of Edward I was Gilbert de Clare, seventh Earl of Hertford and 
third Earl of Gloucester, who successively married Alice, neice of 
the King of France, and Joan of Acre, daughter of Edward I. 

It appears from this ancient record 1 that Robert Holdeyn held of 
the fee of Clare, through de Berners and Tye, 15 acres, part if not 
all being in Lyndsey. It is possible that these holdings were of the 
manor held by Kersey Priory. 

The name of the founder and the date of foundation of the Priory 
are unknown. A small establishment of Austin canons, it is first 
mentioned in 1219. Among the chief benefactors of the Priory was 
the Lady Nesta de Cokefield already mentioned. Her first husband, 
Thomas de Burgh, granted to the Priory all his patrimony in Lindsey. 
Lady Nesta gave her mills in Cokefield, Lindsey and Kersey. The 
manor was not a large one. Some of the manor rolls are still extant. 
Castelyns manor in Groton may also have been held of the Priory. 

The main manor of Kersey was held by the Plantagenet and 
Holland Earls of Kent, and in connection with the lands of Countess 
Alice there occurs a further mention of one of the Holden name. 
Prior to his time however, the records known as the Feet of Fines, 
so called from a legal proceeding necessary to convey title to lands, 
disclose the existence of Simon Holdeyn in 1357 and of William de 
Halden in 1375, in the immediate vicinity of Groton. 2 

In the spring of 1357, Simon Holdeyn and Alice his wife in con¬ 
sideration of 100 marks silver sold to John Curteys and John Arundel 
a messuage, 60 acres land, 6 acres meadow, 3 acres pasture, 6 acres 
aldergrove, 7 shillings rent, one half acre wood, and one third a mill, 

1 The Hengrave Hall copy is here followed. The later copy is in Misc. Book 14, No. 8, Records Duchy 
of Lancaster, P. R. O. A copy in Register Lakinghethe of St. Edmunds Abbey, is Harl. Ms. 743. 

2 In 1349 the devastation caused by the “Black Death” was unusually severe in Suffolk. That epidemic 
is said to have destroyed half the population of England. 


14 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


all situated in Polsteade and Boxford. The new owners were given 
a warranty against the heirs of Alice, thus showing it was her inheri¬ 
tance wTiich was conveyed. 1 She was perhaps one of three heiresses 
to this property. 

Polsteade as well as Boxford is to the south of Groton. The very 
unusual series of manor rolls wTiich still exist, although inspected 
for many courts, fail to reveal the presence of Holdens holding of 
that manor. 

In February, 1375, William de Halden and Gilbert Champeneys, 
John Ussher, and Thomas Pateshull purchased of Ralph Aslaky 
and Alice his wufe a third part of the manor of Newton, giving there¬ 
for one hundred marks. Ussher w r as probably the principal party in 
this transaction, but the association of William de Halden, which is 
another form of the name Holden, in the list of grantees shows that 
he w r as a person of responsibility. 2 

No trace has been found of the residence in NewLon of a family 
of Holden. As that parish is only six or seven miles southeast from 
Glemsford, it might very well be that William de Halden was con¬ 
nected with the family that appears in that parish in the following 
century and whose name was attached to a certain close there as 
late as 1620, long after any of the family ware connected with the 
parish. 

Allusion has already been made to the fact that the Earls of Kent 
possessed an estate in Kersey and vicinity. In the latter part of the 
reign of Richard II his half-brother, Thomas de Holland, was Earl 
of Kent. Thomas died in 1397, and in the 21-22 Richard II 
(1397-1398) the accounts of the steward for the “lands of Alice, 
Countess of Kent” 3 in Kersey show that in 1395-1397 Richard 
Holdeyn was bailiff (an important township and manorial official, 
chosen for his local knowledge, responsibility and administrative 
ability), succeeding Gregory Cailly, and was followed by Robert 
YVolfard. For the year 1395-1396 Richard was in arrears for uncol¬ 
lected assessments or rents amounting to £ 8 - 8 - 23 ^, and the follow¬ 
ing year for 30 shillings 10 pence, and this arrearage w r as still uncol¬ 
lected in 1399. 

The Countess Alice mentioned above, whose bailiff Richard 
ILoideyn was, was wife of Earl Thomas, the son of the “Fair Maid 
of Kent”, w r ife of Edward the Black Prince. 

Kersey at this time was the seat of a thriving w r oolen industry. 
In the accounts of the estate of the Countess Alice mention is made 
of the Cloth Hall there. 

The general character of the district of Kersey and Lindsey is 

1 Feet of Fines, Suffolk, Case 221, file 90, No. 41, 81 Edward 111. The date was “within three 
weeks of Easter.” 

2 Ibid. Case 222, file 99, 49 Edward III. The abstracts only are used. 

3 P. R. O., Ministers Accounts, 100 1-2. 


INTRODUCTION 


15 


undulating and at times hilly. Where the site is conspicuous, in 
early days castles as at Lindsey and Gilden were erected, and churches 
as at Kersey, and the priory at Kersey and the wayside chapel as at 
Lindsey were founded. 

The village of Kersey is one of the most picturesque in Suffolk. 
It lies on the two inclines between the old Priory and the church 
and is intersected by the valley through which a stream flows whose 
waters were most necessary for the manufacture of the Kersey and 
Lindsey cloths so famous from the earliest days till late in the 
eighteenth century. 

The population for centuries consisted of generation after genera¬ 
tion of weavers and skilled artisans connected with the clothing 
industrj^. Their ancient homesteads still line the village street. 

In 1448 the manor of Kersey Priory was granted to King’s College, 
Cambridge, by Heitry de Grey, Lord Powis, and that college still 
holds the manor. 

Another manor in Kersey was Sampsons, held by a family of that 
name in 1382, and for three centuries thereafter, and in modern 
times was described as the manor of Lillesley and Sampsons Hall 
in Kersey, with lands extending into the parishes of Semer, Whatfield, 
Lindsey, Boxford, and Groton. 

From what has been told above it is evident that there was a 
family of Holdens residing in one or more of the three parishes, Groton, 
Kersey and Lindsey, and because of the interlocking character of 
the extent of the manors in those towns, a resident of any one of them 
might be a tenant or a freeholder in the manor of which the seat 
might be in another parish than that of their residence. In 1327 a 
subsidy was granted of one twentieth the rents and goods of the 
inhabitants. About eleven thousand persons were assessed in 
Suffolk, which included probably all but the lowest class of laborers 
and people of very limited possessions indeed, and indicates a popu¬ 
lation of about sixty thousand for the whole county. In this subsidy 
the name Holden does not appear in western Suffolk, except in 
Lindsey, where among the seventeen persons assessed occurs the 
name of Costent Holdeyn, who paid fifteen pence. The total amount 
assessed in the parish was forty shillings, and four persons paid less 
than Costent. The largest assessment was that of John atte Tye, 
who paid three shillings, one penny. 1 

The next subsidy which is of sufficient extent to be relied upon 
for a census of the inhabitants, is that of 1524, when every one over 
the age of sixteen years and earning wages of at least one pound, or 
having any estate, thus including laborers and servants, was assessed, 

i The income of a prosperous yeoman of this period, who was comfortably housed and who lived as 
well as the local resources allowed although simply, was about £5 a year. The “gentleman” of the same 
period lived no better, and was often content with an income of £10 or £20. 


16 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


with the intention of raising every penny possible. About seventeen 
thousand persons were listed, indicating a population of about 
eighty thousand. The population increased but slowly. In 1603, 
at time of the marriage of the parents of the emigrants Richard and 
Justinian Holden, there were reported sixty-five thousand, three 
hundred and sixteen communicants, indicating a population of about 
ninety-five thousand. Twenty-five years later there were but one 
hundred forty thousand inhabitants. 

In this subsidy we find in western Suffolk two persons bearing the 
name Holden: William of Glemsford, who paid four pence, and who 
was one of the three employees of John Golden the elder. The 
other was John Holden of Groton, of whom hereafter. 

In Glemsford the latter half of the fifteenth century was one 
John Holden, who on making his will, 1 21 March, 1472, styled himself 
“senior.” His will, proved 13 April, 1473, witnessed by Thomas 
Holden, John Holden, 2 and Robert Robynson, mentions his wife 
Anne, and his children, Margaret, Richard, Thomas the elder, Henry, 
Thomas the younger and John. He also mentions Alice and godson 
John Holden, who were undoubtedly his grandchildren. Among 
other bequests were to the church, to certain establishments of 
Friars, and for mending the road before his gate, and legacies were 
given to Agnes and John Wolfe, Anne Heyward, Richard Frances. 
William Royal, perhaps a brother of the testator's wife, was nomi¬ 
nated as executor with the testator’s wife. He held, in addition to his 
home tenement, Constans, given to his elder son Thomas, and 
Turpytts, the latter being given to his son John. He may well 
have been the first of his name to settle in Glemsford, and the John 
Holdeyn who with John Daldeyn (perhaps an error of Haldeyn, 
thus indicating two of the name, contemporaries) witnessed in 1447 
the will of John Fryotthe of Glemsford. In 1462 John Holdeyn was 
executor of the will of James Sewyn of the same place. 

John Holden, “junior,” of Glemsford, made his will 20 June, 1474, 
and it was proved 22 September following. He named his wife 
Agnes and daughter Alice, and nominated his wife and John Holden 
“senior” executors. He also left various pious bequests. To his wife 
Agnes he gave his croft called “Tonpitts,” probably identical with 
the tenement called Turpitts in his father’s will, unless the testator 
was the grandson rather than the son of John who died in 1473. 

The last of the family in Glemsford, of whom we have any probate 
record was Thomas Holden, husbandman, whose will 3 dated 5 Oct., 
1506, was proved 23 March, 1506. He named his children, Rose, (who 
was living at her father's house) William and John. William Holden 

1 Bury wills. 

2 These names may be those of two of the sons, as at that time disability to inherit was not created by 
witnessing a will. But the will of John Holden 1474, styled “junior,” shows there was another of the name 

* The earliest Holden will at Bury written in English. 


INTRODUCTION 


17 


of Glemsford, tailor, was nominated executor, who was to sell the 
house and lands, the proceeds if any after payment of his debts to be 
divided between his sons. 

William Holden of Glemsford, the tailor above mentioned, was 
witness to the will of John Smith in 1479, and was probably deceased 
prior to 1522. 

The will of John Eyre of Glemsford made in 1483 named his sister 
Rose Holden and his children John, Thomas and William, from which it 
is to be deduced that Thomas Holden had wife Rose to whom he had 
been married earlier, about 1478, 1 and that he himself was born 
about 1455. 

It is probable that the William Holden assessed in the subsidy 
of 1524 was son of Thomas who died in 1506, and it is not beyond 
possibility that John of Groton may have been his brother. However 
this may be, we learn from a muster of 1522, which is more complete 
that the subsidy of 1524, that Thomas Holden 1 2 of Glemsford, rated 
at five marks, was liable for militia duty. And from a survey of 
Glemsford manor, made in 1621 by John Norden and his son, it is 
learned that John Strutt, one of the copyholders of the manor, 
occupied two closes of pasture divided into three, called “Howldings,” 
and that Francis Johnson, another copyholder, held a close of arable 
land next Betnes Wood Croft, “late of William Holden,” and that 
William Kerington held an acre in a close called “Holdens.” 

“Late of William Holden” does not necessarily mean that William 
was the immediate former possessor, and in fact as he is not men¬ 
tioned in any of the subsidies which have come down to us, not 
even in that of 1610, nor the very complete one of 1568, it follows 
that his occupancy might well have been of the time of the William 
assessed in the subsidy of 1524. Moreover, whenever it was, the 
association of the name Holden with the land conveys the impres¬ 
sion that it had either very early been in possession of persons of that 
name, or had been associated with more than one generation of 
persons bearing the name. A casual or brief tenancy would hardly 
have given the property the name of its occupier. These local names 
for tenements and closes are usually continuation of names found 
associated with them in the early court records, for these copyhold 
lands passed from one generation to another, under certain condi¬ 
tions, as did freeholds. 

The muster roll already quoted, that of 1522, discloses in Groton a 
John Holden, described as weaver, and rated at one hundred shillings. 
In the subsidy of 1524 his name appears immediately following that 
of Richard Doget, whose estate was given as £80, the largest in the 


1 The will of William Baby alias West of Glemsford, made in 1497, mentions his goddaughter Katherine 

Holden. ...... ... . „ 

2 Thomas Holden, the tailor, is not listed in either subsidy or muster roll. 


18 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


parish, and who paid an assessment of four pounds. 1 Holden’s wages 
were two pounds received of Doget, and he paid thereon one shilling. 
Whatever Doget may have possessed in lands, his “goods” had a 
greater value, for a man was assessed on either his lands or goods, 
whichever might be the larger. He was a wealthy weaver or cloth 
worker, and he may have been lessee of the manor, then in possession 
of the Monks at Bury, and was the founder of the armorial Doget 
family of Suffolk. Two pounds were good wages, double those 
received by the better class of common laborers. 

The subsidy of 1524 was very comprehensive. It practically 
included every person over sixteen, who was a wage earner of at 
least one pound or who had goods (personal estate other than apparel) 
valued at two pounds, and every householder. Eight persons bear¬ 
ing the name Holden were assessed in Suffolk, the two above men¬ 
tioned in western Suffolk, the remainder in eastern Suffolk, as follows: 

John Holden of Walberswick (on the coast), 

John Holden of Sibtontown ( a little west of the above), 

Richard Holden of Sybton Abbey (adjoining the above), 

William Holden of Ipswich, 

William Holden of Cranysforthe (Cransford, in the same part as 

Sybton), 

John Holden of Thornham Magna (north central part). 

None of these were people of consequence, and none appear in 
any way connected with the families in western Suffolk. 

It is safe to assert that in 1524 the only persons in Suffolk likely 
to have been the progenitors of the Holdens found fifty years later 
in that series of parishes running north from Groton to the Norfolk 
border were those men found in Glemsford and Groton. As the name 
is found in Norfolk, and in Cambridgeshire to a limited extent, it is 
of course possible that some of the Holdens of the northern and 
northwestern section may have come into the county about the 
middle of the sixteenth century. While this may have been true, 
there is no good reason for assuming a distinct origin for the few 
families who are found in these parts in the latter part of the century, 
except possibly at Tudenham and Cavenham, adjoining parishes 
near the Cambridgeshire border. 

Nicholas IJowlden of Tuddenham made a will 4 Aug., 15G5. 
Lie left a widow, Isbell, and sons, Nicholas, who inherited his house 
and land, and William. 2 A younger Nicholas Llolden, probably son 
of the above, was buried at Tuddenham December, 1590, leaving a 
will naming wife, Jane, and daughters Joan and Thomazine. He 


1 There is no record of settlement of his estate. It is a curious coincidence that a century later when 
Richard Holden had lands set out to him in Watertown his neighbor across the way was John Doggett 

2 Nicholas Holding of Hadleigh had children, Alice and Nicholas, baptized 1589 and 1591. 


INTRODUCTION 


19 


had married 18 May, 1571, Jone Houes, who as Johanna married 
22 Feb., 1593-1594, Thomas Baron. James, son of Nicholas, was 
buried 13 Feb., 1573-1575. It is probable that he was connected with 
William Holdinge who married at Cavenham, 28 Sept., 1595, Mar¬ 
garet Simonds, and with another William who by wife Grace had 
children baptized contemporaneously with the other William, and 
with John Holden, churchwarden of Cavenham in 1595. The latter’s 
wife, Margaret, was buried 14 March, 1569-1570, and he by second 
wife, Agnes, had children, William, Richard, Jone and Bridget, 
baptized 1571-1586. Administration was granted to his relict Anne, 
on the estate of John Holden, 1610. William Houldinge, stationer, 
of Cambridge, was son of one of the Williams mentioned above. 1 

The parishes of Drinkstone, Tostock, Thurston, Packenham, and 
Ixworth are all within eight miles of Bury St. Edmunds, and run from 
south to north in the order named, though not all adjoining. Ixworth 
is seven miles north of Drinkstone. Bey ton is close by Drinkstone. 
In this group of parishes we find Thomas, who married in 1584 
Agnes Nunne, at Drinkstone, where his children were baptized, and 
who removed to Thorpe Morieux and died there as shown below; 
Edward, who the same year married at Ixworth, Jone Tuller, and 
had children; Richard, rector of Tostock, whose wife was Margaret, 
a daughter of William Skarpe of Tostock (will 1593), by whom he 
had children from 1588; and William, the vicar of Pakenham, whose 
wife, Margaret Taylor, was buried 20 Aug., 1614, and whose own will 
was dated October in that year, and proved 23 Nov., 1621. William 
did not have any children, but made the sons of his brother Richard, 
the parson of Tostock, John, William, and James, his principal heirs. 
These heads of families in the above-named parishes were thus con¬ 
temporaries with the father of the emigrants Richard and Justinian 
Holden. 

Five miles south of Drinkstone is Thorpe Morieux to which 
Thomas Holden removed, and whose will dated 19 Feb., 1605, was 
proved the 19 May, 1606. He left a sister Alice Egle, and sons John 
and Henry Holden; to the former his lands in Brettenham, and 
named George, minor son of John. This Thomas was probably born as 
early as 1545, and was thus of the generation to which belonged the 
grandfather of the emigrants, and was buried 23 April, 1605. 2 Four 
miles southeast of Thorpe and Brettenham is Bildeston, just south of 
Hitcham, and but three miles from Lindsey. Here at Bildeston 

1 See will of John Southose, rector of Cavenham, proved 22 Oct., 1613. 

2 Henry, son of Thomas Holden, was baptized at Thorpe Morieux 22 Aug., 1568, and may be identified 
with Henry Holding of Hitcham, whose son, Richard, was baptized 19 Oct., 1606. Richard married Mar¬ 
garet and they had, George baptized 31 May, 1635, Margaret, 24 July, 1640, John, 28 Jan. 1643. He was 
a contemporary and not distant neighbor of the emigrant. Hitcham is six miles from Lyndsey. 

George {John, Thomas) was baptized at Thorpe Morieux 26 Nov., 1592, his brother John 10 Jan., 
1595-1596. John the elder was buried there 26 July, 1642. 

Thomas of Drinkstone, laborer, left a will dated 24 Sept., 1630, proved 9 June, 1634, naming wife Anne, 
daughters Margaret and Alice. 


20 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


John Holden was rector of the church, and was buried there as 
“Father Holden” 23 Dec., 1600. He was instituted rector in 1570. 1 
His wife Agnes, buried 7 March, 1589-1590, was sister of William 
Pereson of Bildeston, malster, wdiose will of 4 Sept., 1616, proved 
11 March following, names his sister’s son, Lazarus Holden, who 2 
W’as baptized 1 June, 1572, and kinsman John Holden of Chatham. 
The latter's will, 21 Aug., 1628, proved 14 March, 1638-1639, 
describes the testator as a shipwright, names his wfife, Anne, his 
son, John, under tw r enty-four years, his daughters, Susan, Elizabeth, 
Mary and Anne, all unmarried, and the wddow 7 of Lazarus Holden. 3 
At Bildeston is also the record of the burial of Emme, the wife of 
Richard Holden, 8 March, 1597-1598. At Lavenham, which was 
another cloth town, and which adjoins Brent Eleigh, the latter 
place wdthin the three-mile radius of Groton, w T ere Holdens after 
1600, and in 1565 Agnes Holden was buried there. In 1591, Thomas 
Holden witnessed the will of w T idow Katherine Willowby of Laven¬ 
ham, but he may not have lived in that parish. 

Ixw r orth, the most northern of these parishes, is but eighteen miles 
distant from Lindsey. Here we find the marriage 1 July, 1584, of 
Edward Holden and Jone Toller, and the baptism of their children, 
John, 6 Aug., 1587, William, 1 Nov., 1589. Agnes was buried there 
13 July, 1617. No further trace has been found of this family. It 
w^ould not be at all strange if such Holdens as appear in the entire 
string of parishes had sprung from the Groton-Lindsey family, the 
ancestors of Richard and Justinian Holden. 

ANCESTRY OF RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 

Lindsey is a small and unimportant parish, in former times devoted 
to the manufacture of cloth, like its neighbor Kersey. In the 1524 
subsidy fifty-six persons w r ere assessed in Kersey; in Lindsey only 
twenty-seven. The total assessment of Kersey was £6-4-6, that 
of Lindsey £1-13-00. A recent but not the last census showed in 
Kersey four hundred eighty-tw T o inhabitants, and in Lindsey but two 
hundred fifty-three. There are three manors in the parish. Some 
court rolls are in existence, but at present entirely inaccessible. The 
principal manor was in the Cokefield family, passing to Sir Ralph de 
Berners and John Bellomont. Their portions in 1302 were held by 
William de Montchesney w r ho also held Edw^ardstone. From 1400 
to 1613 it belonged to the Waldegrave family. One of the manors 
w r as given in 1474 to the College of Denston, and on the dissolution 
passed to the Crown. In 1548 Simon Sampson held a third part, 
and soon after this date Anthony Cage appears as possessor of a 

1 See Composition Book, No. 8, p. 283. He compounded for the appurtenances of the rectory 25 Feb. 
1570. 

2 An Adam Holden died in Greenwich, Kent, Sept., 1742, Musgrave's Obituary. 

3 Archdeaconry of Rochester, 22: 306. 


INTRODUCTION 


21 


part of the manor, in whose family it remained. The Cages were 
connected with the Appletons of Waldingfield, ancestors of the 
Appletons of Massachusetts. 

The muster of Cosford Hundred at a date between 1534 and 
1540, fails to show any persons by the name of Holden. At that time 
there were nine able archers and the same number of able billmen 
in Lindsey. 

The parish register commences in 1558, and is complete except for 
a hiatus in the marriage record from 1570-1579. This gap is partly 
closed by the fact that transcripts are found in the Registry at 
Bury St. Edmunds for the years 1575, 1577, 1578. 

£ The earliest item recovered from Lindsey concerning the Holden 
Q amily is that of the baptism of Rose, daughter of William Holden, 

March, 1578. The subsidy of 1568, which was very complete, 
does not mention any of the name in Lindsey or vicinity. This would 
he the case if in that year William was under sixteen years of age, or 
if he was then earning no more than a common laborer and did not 
hold any lands. Rose was evidently his eldest child. Assuming him 
to have been twenty-five years of age in 1578, he would have been 
born in 1553, and would have been under sixteen in 1568. If he was 
born in 1553, he was sixty-six years of age at his death in 1619. 
Adam Holden of Lindsey, who we assume without fear of contra¬ 
diction was his younger brother, was married in 1582. It was he 
who was mentioned by Adam Winthrop, lord of Groton manor, 
father of the John Winthrop who came to New England. That 
William and Adam were grandsons of the John Holden of Groton 
in 1524 is a fair assumption, but not proven. The inference is that 
Adam was named after Adam Winthrop and that the two brothers 
may have lived in Groton during their minority, later settling in 
Lindsey where not unlikely some of their kinsfolk enjoyed copyhold 
estates. The tradition preserved by Abiel Holden in 1813, that the 
father of the emigrants possessed thirteen houses and that their 
uncle was one of the “lords of England” with for that day an im¬ 
mense income, may be disposed of as one of those fairy tales embel¬ 
lishing every tradition which has been handed down through several 
generations. The marvel of it is that so much of the traditionary 
statement has been proved correct. 

The discovery 1 of the baptism of Justinian Holden, agreeing with 
his known year of birth, on the Lindsey register, seemed without 
doubt, with the occurrence of the names Adam and William men¬ 
tioned in the tradition, to identify the parents of the emigrants, 
although the baptism of Richard was not discovered; unless by 
chance, and such errors have been revealed in other cases, the 
baptism of Joseph Holden, 16 July, 1609, was intended for the 

J By Mr. J. Gardner Bartlett in 1909. 


22 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


baptism of Richard. The more recent discovery 1 of a ‘“bill” or 
transcript at Bury from some parish near enough to Kersey to con¬ 
tain names of Kersey residents who were baptized and buried away 
from their home church during a brief vacancy in the period for which 
the bill stands, for the years 1005-1606 or 1606-1607, has given 
further proof that William Holden was the father of Richard. This 
transcript, probably drawn up by a local scrivener, may have been 
sent in from Kersey, but does not agree with the entries that year in 
the Kersey register, nor with any of the other adjacent parishes for 
which registers exist. The register of Aldham, however, is lost prior 
to 1666, and there are no returns credited to that parish at Bury 
for the period 1605-1611 inclusive. Aldham is the next parish east 
of Lindsey and Kersey. The wife of the younger William, father of 
Adam and the emigrants Richard and Justinian, may well have come 
from that parish, and in such circumstances it was not unusual for 
the eldest child of newly married couple to be born at the mother’s 
old home, and of course to be baptized there as well. Such an assump¬ 
tion would account for the failure to find the record of marriage of 
William Holden, probably in 1604 or 1605, as he was born in 1580; 
and it may be that Richard was born in the same parish in 1607, 
instead of the year 1609 formerly accepted as that of his birth. 

Unfortunately none of this family left a will, nor was administra¬ 
tion necessary on their estates. In 1639, the year of the Ship Money 
assessment, from which few persons having property of any amount 
escaped taxation, no one of this Lindsey family was enumerated. 
We know that Richard and Justinian were then in New England, 
and we must assume if they had brothers then living (the tradition 
assigned them a brother William of whom we find no trace), that 
either they had no property or had removed from the county. Nor 
is any mention found in later years of that Stephen Holden who was 
baptized in 1621 at Groton, the only known issue of the second mar¬ 
riage of William Holden to Margaret Gale of Groton. One may not 
assert the fact with certainty, but may not these other sons, brothers 
of the emigrants, have died prior to 1639? Nor do we find further 
mention of Edward and John, the younger sons of Adam Holden, Sr. 

William Holden of Lindsey, born presumably about 1553, married 
Rose, who was buried at Lindsey, as “wife of William Holden,” 
19 Feb., 1617-1618. 

William Holden was buried 8 Oct., 1619. 

Anne Holden, widow, was buried 16 Jan., 1623-1624. 

The following were baptized as children of William Holden: 

Rose, 2 March, 1577-1578. 

William, 26 March, 1580. 


1 By Mr. Vincent B. Redstone, in 1922 


INTRODUCTION 


23 


Agnes, 20 Aug., 1582. 

Bridget, 7 Aug., 1585. 

Adam Holden of Lindsey, undoubtedly brother of the above, 
married at Lindsey, 21 May, 1582, Mary Wiate and had the follow¬ 
ing children baptized at Lindsey: 

Adam, 14 March, 1583—1584; buried 3 March following. 

Adam, 3 May, 1585 (this item is from the transcript, and is 
apparently omitted in the original register). 

Martha, 17 Nov., 1588. 

Mary, 4 Jan., 1589-1590. 

Grissell, 20 Feb., 1591-1592. 

Edward, 13 April, 1594. 

John, 23 Jan., 1597-1598. 

Joan, 20 July, 1600. 

Elizabeth, 9 April, 1603. 

Adam Holden had business dealings with Adam Winthrop. 
Winthrop kept a diary during a long period of years. Selections 
from this diary and from interleaved almanacks were printed in 
the ‘Life and Letters of John Winthrop” in 1864, but the following 
items were obtained from the originals now in the British Museum. 1 

“A note of the money which I have erned with my cart and plough 
since Mich. 1592-3. 

“Item of Holding for i i i i lodes v. s i i i i d. ” 

“Receits at the feast of St. Michael Ao 1593, Adam Holdinge 

• • • • j yy 

v. s i i i i a. 

“Adam Holding departed from me The Vlth of Jan. 1603-4.” 
There are many allusions to various persons named Gale in this 
diary, one being to the fact that Joseph Gale was in arrears of rent 
Oct., 1601, 20 sh., another touching lands bought of him in Assington. 
Several items concern William Gale. 


\/ William Holden, whose baptism appears above under date of 
1580, son of William, had baptized, 

Adam, 15 March, 1605-1606 (or 1606-1607), at an unknown parish 
as per the transcript. 

Richard, whose baptism has not been found; the emigrant . 2 

Joseph, baptized at Lindsey, 16 July, 1609. 

Justinian, baptized at Lindsey, 6 Oct., 1611. 2 

John, baptized at Lindsey, 15 Jan., 1615-16. 

1 Additional Mss., 37, 419, ff 58, 07, 29b. A copy of these diaries and accounts is being made for the 
Massachusetts Historical Society. 

2 The passenger list of 1634 of the ship Francis on which Richard and Justinian sailed, their ages being 
given as twenty-five and twenty-three respectively, shows there sailed also a William Haulton, aged 
twenty-three, whose identity and settlement in this country has not been discovered, unless he was identical 
with William Holton of Hartford and Northampton. Richard Haldin, aged fourteen, sailed in the Dorset 
for Barbadoes, September, 1635. 


24 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


William Holden and Margaret Gale were married at Groton, 
6 Nov., 1618. Margaret Holden buried at Groton 15 Dec., 1638. 
They had Steven, baptized at Groton, 1 6 May, 1621. 

William Gale of Groton, husbandman, left a will dated 1 Nov., 
1625, proved at Sudbury, 13 April, 1626. 2 He named his wife 
Margaret, his son Thomas, who had his lands, etc., after the death 
of his mother, and who was required to pay legacies to other chil¬ 
dren, Bridget, Joseph. To his “daughter Margaret Houlden, wife of 
William Houlden, 12 pence/' 

William Holden was thus living in 1625. The tradition already 
alluded to asserts that he left a widow, but in view of the above 
entries we believe that the statement of her remarriage may be dis¬ 
carded with those concerning the property. 

The family tradition asserts that Richard Holden was saved from 
persecution, for attending a meeting of dissenters, by James Holden, 
called his “uncle,” and who is absurdly called one of the “lords of 
England.” There was a James Holden, who lived in 1656 at Thurs¬ 
ton, and who in 1659 was of West Halton, Lincolnshire. In 1656 
his son John was admitted to the Grammar School at Bury, and in 
March, 1659-1660, then aged seventeen was matriculated at St. 
John’s College, Cambridge. This James was in middle age when his 
son John was born, having himself been born about or earlier than 
1600. He is named in the will of his mother in 1630, in whose house 
a room was kept for him, showing that he resided elsewhere at that 
time. His uncle, the Reverend William Holden of Pakenham, gave 
him a property called “Patches.” 

Richard is a name common to the Drinkstone, Ixworth, Tostock 
family. It is also one of the most common names of that period. 
The stand these two parsons, as well as John Holden of Bildeston, 
took in 1583 and their appeal from the Bishop to the Privy Council 
was no doubt known in the family to which Richard and Justinian 
belonged. If, as circumstances seem to point, the father of the 
ministers was a near relative to William Holden of Lindsey, the 
story of their difficulties, their Puritan connection, was probably a 
matter of comment and family pride. As their circumstances were 
evidently considerably superior to the Lindsey family, the difference 
in worldly estate and position may have placed the Tostock-Thurston 
family on somewhat of a pinnacle, and this may be the seed from which 
grew the magnificent statement in the tradition of 1813. 

The Reverend William Holden of Pakenham compounded for the 
first fruits of the vicarage, 3 June, 1572. 3 As he was at least twenty- 

1 Groton register begins 1561 and is well kept. There are few entries eaeh year, it being a small parish. 
A copy has been made. 

2 Bury wills, Pearle, 455. 

* Composition Books No. 8, p. 294. 


INTRODUCTION 


25 


four years of age on admission to the benefice in 1571, he was born 
at least as early as 1546. He is described also as rector of Brising- 
ham, Norfolk, 1569-1570, and as having matriculated at Trinity 
College, Cambridge, in 1562. He was a sizar, which gives a clue to 
his circumstances. He was graduated B. A. 1565-6, and M. A. 1569, 
ordained priest, 1568. 1 He married 26 Feb., 1578, at Pakenham, 
Margaret Taylor, sister to George Taylor. She was buried there 
30 Aug., 1614. Thomas Amye of Thurston, whose wife was Ellen, 
in his will of 1618 names his “wife’s uncle Mr. William Holden.” 

In 1583 Archbishop Whitgift, 2 a narrow-minded and intolerant 
ecclesiastic, thoroughly in sympathy, however, with the views of 
Queen Elizabeth, caused to be propounded to all incumbents of 
parishes, three articles which, simple as they were, would reveal 
who of the incumbents failed of strict conformity. In Suffolk were 
several hundred parishes and sixty incumbents refused to sign, 
among them William Holden of Pakenham, his brother Richard of 
Tostock, and John Holden of Semer, 3 who had been rector of Bildeston 
in 1570 and several years subsequent. 

Two hundred and thirty-three clergymen in Norfolk, Suffolk, 
Sussex, Essex, Kent and Lincolnshire were suspended for refusing 
to subscribe to these articles, the second of which referred to the 
Book of Common Prayer, and was the one objectionable to the 
Puritans. 

William Holden died childless at an advanced age, at least seventy- 
four years, and was buried at Pakenham 1 Nov., 1621. 

His will, dated 25 Oct., 1614, was proved in the Consistory Court 
of Norwich, 23 Nov., 1621. He left small bequests to his successor, 
the poor of the parish and to the poor of Thurston, to his several 
godchildren, but chiefly disposed of his estate to his nephews. To 
his kinsman, John Holden, son of his brother Richard, he gave his 
lease for a thousand years of the messuage or tenement of Wickham 
and in case of his death to William, brother of John, to whom he 
also gave his copyhold lands in the manor of Pakenham and three 
acres abutting on Thurston Green. To James, another son of Rich¬ 
ard, he gave Patches. To the wife of Robert Samples of Elmeswell, to 
Abigail and Thomas, children of Edward Granger of Swaffham, and 
to Susan and Margery Holden, all under twenty-one, he left legacies, 
and also to Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of George Taylor. The 
residue of his household stuff, plate, etc., he gave to John Holden, 
his nephew, and nominated him executor. 

Reverend Richard Holden of Tostock, younger brother of William, 


iList of graduates of Cambridge University. John Holden, matriculated at Trinity 1565, may have 
been the rector of Bildeston He may have taken his B.A. at Oxford 1569. 

2 Whitgift had succeeded Archbishop Grindal, who died 6 July, 1583, and who had favored the Puritan 

element as far as he would consistently. ... _ TT .. 

* The parish register of Semer for the years 1538-1650 fails to disclose mention ot the name Holden. 


26 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


born probably about 1556, was living in 1624, but had died prior to 
26 Nov., 1625. Although he was perhaps twice married, his widow 
Margerie, daughter of William Skarp of Bildeston, was certainly 
mother of most of his children. He was inducted rector of Tostock 
1 Sept., 1581. Of the several graduates of this name, he who was 
B.A. 1579-80, having matriculated at St. John’s College, Cambridge, 
1576, appears the most likely to have been the Tostock incumbent. 
At college he was a sizar. 1 

From the wills of Reverend William Holden, of Margerie, the 
widow of Reverend Richard (dated 3 Nov., 1630, proved 8 July, 1633), 
and those of her sons, William (will dated 3 June, 1623, proved 
24 May, 1624), and John (will proved 11 8th mo., 1625), both of whom 
died single, and the parish register, the family of Reverend Richard 
is learned. 

Children of Reverend Richard Holden: 

William of Tostock, died 1624, who named in his will his mother, 
brothers and sisters. 

Rebecca, wife of Edward Granger in 1614, of Swaffham, had 
children Abigail and Thomas. 

James, baptized 6 March, 1588, who eventually came to possess 
the various tenements, leases and copyholds held by his uncle, and 
was a man of some worth. He was assessed in 1639 at Thurston. 
He was of Thurston in 1656, when his son John was admitted to 
the Grammar School at Bury St. Edwards. In 1659 he was of West 
Halton, Lincolnshire. He appears to have married late in life. 

Elizabeth, baptized 9 Feb. 1589-1590. She married Robert 
Sample and was living in 1630. She had at least one child, William. 
In 1614 they were of Elmeswell. 

Sarah, baptized 26 March, 1592-1593; married Robert Wade 
16 Dec., 1618, at Pakenham, and had children Sarah, Dorothy, 
Katherine and Ann. 

John, who died single in 1625. He was of Tostock, and in his will, 
gave to “[ ] Holden my kinsman” his ash-colored suit. The 

baptismal name of this kinsman is illegible. 

Margery, probably married at Pakenham, 3 Oct., 1620, Stephen 
Ludbrooke. 

Susan. 

The will of Margerie Holden, 2 widow of Reverend Richard, is of 
the utmost importance, for it shows that the “Kinsman Holden” 

1 List of graduates of Cambridge University. John Holden, matriculated at Trinity 1565, may have 
been the rectot of Bildeston. He may have taken his B.A. at Oxford 1569. 

2 Bury Wills, 52:242. Margerie Holden of Thurston, 3 Nov., 1630, proved 8 July, 1633. To be buried 
at Tostock. To daughter Elizabeth Sample: goddaughter Sara Wade; daughter Margaret: Esther Beale 
“a pewter dish which have my husband’s name on”; to Dorothy, Katherine and Ann Wade, a pewter dish- 
Elizabeth daughter of Robert Sample; Adam Holden “the long table and long form”; son’James pightle 
called Nuts; daughter Sarah Wade; son James “all furniture in the chamber which he useth when he’cometh 
unto me”; daughter Rebecca; daughter Susan residuary legatee. Son James to be executor. 


INTRODUCTION 


27 


named in the will of John Holden, was probably the Adam Holden 
to whom she gave a long table and long form. As at that time there 
were no male representatives of either Reverends Richard or William 
Holden, except James, then unmarried and living part of the time 
at his mother’s house, it is not unlikely that the widow had received 
into her family the son of a near relative of her husband. No other 
Adam Holden has been found in all that part of Suffolk than the 
ones so named belonging to the Groton and Lindsey family. There 
can be little doubt the younger Adam, brother of the emigrants, is 
intended. Such being the fact the tradition so long in the family 
becomes perfectly intelligible. The James of the tradition represented 
as a man of means and an uncle, was James son of the Reverend 
Richard, who after his brothers’ deaths in 1624 and 1625 was the only 
male representative of the Tostock family. 

The father of William and Richard Holden was surely born as 
early or earlier than 1526; the most likely date being from 1515 to 
1520. As there were ten years between the births of William and 
Richard there may have been other children, but no trace of rela¬ 
tives are found other than related above. 

The decade 1510-1520 is that in which was born the father of 
the brothers William and Adam of Lindsey, of the Reverend John 
Holden of Bildeston and of Thomas Holden of Drinkstone and 
Thorpe Morieux. The custom of naming more than one son the 
same permits the assumption that William the grandfather of the 
emigrants and the Reverend William were brothers, but this fact 
is not proven, though the near relationship is evident. 

THE LANCASHIRE FAMILIES 

At the time of the Heralds Visitations of Lancashire in 1612, 
Robert Holden of Holden had registration of a pedigree showing his 
descent from Adam Holden to whom Robert Holden 1 was son and 
heir. Adam, son of Robert de Holden, was a grantee in 1272 of 
lands forfeited by William de Keelin. This pedigree is from father 
to son until the time of Gilbert Holden, who died in 1550-1551, 
very aged. Later than this some attempt is made to give names of 
children in each generation in the main line. Checking this pedigree 
by evidences now accessible, it is evident that there are many errors, 
especially of omission, 2 but it would be possible to construct a reason¬ 
ably correct pedigree of the principal branches of this family from 
about 1300. 

During the whole period of three centuries from the time of the 

1 Perhaps confounded with or identical with Robert de Haslingden who died in 1269. See History of 
Blackburne. Ewood was held of him by Hugh de Thewood in 1269. 

2 The records known as the Heralds Visitations although official, are unsafe guides except for the few 
immediate generations of about the period of the Visitation. They do establish the right of certain families 
to coat armor. It was customary to omit younger lines, or deal with such separately. Many cases of 
pedigrees showing an ancient descent are ‘‘faked.” 


28 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


first Adam Holden to that of Gilbert there were living in the vicinity 
several other Holden families, evidently from evidences available 
closely allied and whose descendants about 1600 were very numerous 
and of nearly every rank in society, as well as widely scattered 
throughout Lancashire and adjoining counties. 

Enough has been discovered to prove that the Holdens of Ewood 
were near kin to the main branch of the family, probably being an 
offshoot of the fifteenth century, as they were settled there previous 
to 1509. 

With this branch of the family is associated the name Randall 
as early as 1479, and in 1588 there was one of that name living at 
Ewood who had sons, Thomas, baptized 29 July, 1601, and Richard, 
baptized 24 Jan., 1604-1605. The last named had a son, Randall, 
baptized 9 March, 1627-1628, who was buried in 1628. The senior 
Randall, described as “of Ewood, gentleman,” was buried 26 Nov., 
1623. Unfortunately there have not been discovered wills of either 
Randall or of his sons. He would seem to have been a brother of 
William who died in 1593, and therefore a son of Thomas of Ewood 
and Livesay, who died in 1588, 1 and whose executor he was. The 
parish register under date of 16 May, 1624, has the following record 
of burial of “Uxr Ranulphi ( i . e. Randall) Hollden de Ewewood.” 

Seven miles north of Ewood is Salesbury, on the northwestern 
border of the parish of Blackburn, and about ten miles from Hasleden 
and about the same distance east, in Whalley parish is Symonstone, 
in which township Robert de Holden gave lands in 1313 to his 
son Robert. In the following decade Nichols Holden, described 
as son of Robert, gave to his son Robert lands there in 1328. This 
family was connected with the Holdens of Haslingden and Chargley, 
and it is probable that the name of Nicholas should be inserted in 
the ascending line in the pedigree. 

The parishes of Whalley and Blackburn, in which these lie, are in 
the valley of the River Ribble, in that north central part of the 
county which butts on the West Riding of Yorkshire. Whalley is 
the furthest north and east, and the town of Whalley is about seven 
miles from that of Blackburn, but the parishes are of large extent 
and comprise many “townships” and villages. The Lancashire 
township should not be confounded with our American townships. 
Blackburn numbers twenty-three townships. The township of 
Haslingden in Whalley is in the southern extremity of the parish, 
and with the village of Holden lies against the parish of Rochdale. 
The hamlet of Ewood, in the township of Livesey, parish of Black- 


1 Abram in History of Blackburn appears to have confounded the name Randall and Ralph, i. e., Ran- 
dallus (Randolphus) and Radulphus, which in their contracted form are easily mistaken one for the other. 
Ranulphus occurs for Randall in the parish register and elsewhere. There was no head of a Holden family 
in Blackburn parish about 1600 named Ralph, though that name frequently occurs in various branches 
of the family. 


INTRODUCTION 


29 


burn, is but ten miles west of Hasleden, and between those places lie 
Hoddlesden, Pickup Bank, Tockholes, all homes of families of 
Holden late in the sixteenth century 1 and earlier. 

There is a statement which can be traced to as early as about 1800, 
that Randall Holden of Rhode Island came from Salisbury, Wilt¬ 
shire. The county was undoubtedly tacked on because of igno¬ 
rance of the fact that there was another place of similar name, 
Salesbury in Lancashire, and because from Salisbury in Wilts did 
come one of Randall Holden’s companions. Salesbury in Lancashire 
gave its name to a well-known family of Salisbury, and it may have 
been from that village that Randall Holden emigrated to New 
England. This is the more likely inasmuch as the name Randall 2 
in the Holden family appears to be confined to that branch which 
lived in Blackburn parish and, so far as known, to the family which 
inherited the Ewood property from one generation to another. 


i James Holden of that region married Ann Peel, aunt of Sir Robert Peel, and has descendants in Cali- 
fornia, descended from a grandson, Thomas Holden, who died in 1914. Other .Holden families in America 
are descended from emigrants from Lancaster who have settled in the United States during the past 

no^unlikedy that John Holden of Stepney, Middlesex, was from Lancashire. Stepney is part 
of London. The register discloses the baptism of “ Randoll, son of John Holden, of Limehouse, 
mariner and wife Mary,” 30 July 1620. This Randoll was eight years the junior of the emigrant of 
that name. 


THE STORY OF RICHARD AND 
JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 

On the tenth of April, 1634, there sailed from Ipswich in the 
county of Suffolk, England, two ships, the Elizabeth and the Fran - 
cisy bound for the port of Boston in the new commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, and bearing one hundred and eighty-six souls, 
more than one hundred and twenty head of cattle, as well as other 
goods and chattels. On the passenger-list, still extant, are the names 
of Richard Houlding, aged twenty-five, and Justinian Houlding, 
aged twenty-three, the American progenitors of the majority of 
the persons who figure in these pages. 

Until recently, although the fact was evident from their close 
connection, as well as family tradition, no proof could be cited to 
show that Richard and Justinian were brothers. This proof is fur¬ 
nished by the testimony of Martha Boyden, wife of Thomas Boyden 
and daughter of Richard Holden, given at Woburn, July 6, 1685. 
Mistress Boyden states that her husband “is now at my Uncle 
Holden’s at Fresh Pond in Cambridge.” The Uncle Holden was 
no other than Justinian Holden whose farm comprised a portion of 
the shores of Fresh Pond, not far from where Richard and Justinian 
had first set down. 

For many years it was supposed that the Holden brothers came 
from the neighborhood of Cranbrook in Kent, there being a family 
of worth in those parts, and whence came so many of the first set¬ 
tlers of Massachusetts. There is, however, no evidence of such an 
origin for our New England family. Ample investigation has been 
made to establish this point. There is also no proof of any con¬ 
nection with the Holden family of Lancashire. 

Not only does the passenger-list of the vessel upon which the 
brothers came to New England still exist, but there is contemporary 
evidence that the passengers of these ships came from Ipswich or 
vicinity. Ipswich in Suffolk was the port of departure. There was 
no need of inhabitants of Kent to go to Ipswich to find a vessel 
sailing for New England. The ports of London and Southampton 
were the favorite ports of embarkation from the more southern 
counties, the western counties being principally served by Plymouth, 
Bristol and Barnstaple. 

The preparation of the two ships, the Elizabeth and the Francis y 
destined for New England with supplies and settlers, was the out- 

30 


THE STORY OF RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 31 

come of the zeal displayed by two clergymen, the Rev. Mr. Ward 
and Rev. Mr. Dalton, both deeply interested in the colony and 
the latter of whom soon followed the company to Watertown. On 
the fourth of February, 1633-4, Henry Dade, commissary of Suffolk, 
wrote to Archbishop Laud that two ships were to sail about the 
tenth of March from Ipswich with men and provisions “for their 
abiding in New England, in each of which are appointed to go 
about six score persons” whom he supposes are either indebted 
persons or persons discontented with the government of the Church 
of England. “Of the breeders of these people,” of whom he finds 
about six hundred persons in all intend going, “Mr. Ward of Ipswich 
is chief in these parts.” 

Dade was seeking an excuse for stopping the ships from sailing, 
and evidently resorted to the insinuation that some were indebted 
persons. That most were opposed to the measures of Archbishop 
Laud was undoubtedly true. The commissary goes on to suggest 
that an order of Council be sent to Mr. Dalton, the parson of Wolver- 
stone by Ipswich, “who is a stickler for transporting these people,” 
and that the voyage be stayed. 1 

By order of the Privy Council in February, 1633-4, the master of 
a vessel transporting passengers was obliged to give a bond of £100 
to observe certain formalities, the principle of which was that no 
person be received on board who had not taken the oath of supremacy 
and allegiance, 2 and on his return to England with proper vouchers 
the bond was canceled. The master of the Elizabeth was William 
Andrews who, as well as his son, was favorably known in New 
England. The master of the Francis was John Cutting. From their 
petition, presented to the Council after their return from New 
England in November, 1634, we learn that the ships sailed the tenth 
of April, 1634. The customs officers at Ipswich under the same date 
made a return that the passengers on both ships who were of suitable 
age took the oath of allegiance and supremacy before embarking, 
and descriptive lists of all passengers were furnished. 

These interesting papers are in the Public Record Office, and 
are printed entire by Drake in his “Founders of New England.” 3 
According to the lists, one hundred and twenty men, women and 
children were taken as passengers on the Elizabeth and eighty-six 
on the Francis. A large proportion of the passengers were children, 
and it is known that many of the families were related. In Win- 
throp’s “History of New England,” and under July, 1634, he notes 
that fourteen great ships arrived the preceding month at Boston 
and one at Salem, and that month there seems to have been a gen¬ 
eral recognition of the goodness of Providence in bringing safe to 


1 Cal. Dom. State papers Charles I, p. 450. 

2 See p. 69, Drake’s Founders oj New England 


3 Pages 51 and 55. 


32 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


port these vessels. Winthrop notes, “Divers of the ships lost many 
cattle, but the two that came from Ipswich, of more than one hun¬ 
dred and twenty, lost but seven. None of the ships lost any pas¬ 
sengers except the Elizabeth Dorcas , which being hurt on a rock 
and very ill-victualed, lost sixty passengers at sea and divers came 
sick on shore who all recovered except ...” The Elizabeth Dorcas 
was not the Elizabeth of Ipswich, but her experience illustrates the 
dangers of the passage. 

Of the entire party, as far as known, twenty-nine heads of families 
selected Watertown as their residence, being nearly all persons of 
good estate and ability, and most of them became freemen shortly 
after. (It is important to note that a prerequisite to admission to 
the freedom of the Massachusetts Bay Company was membership 
in the church.) Five or six settled in Cambridge and at least seven, 
probably more, settled at Ipswich. 

Genealogical researches have established the correctness of Com¬ 
missary Dade’s information to Archbishop Laud that Suffolk was 
the home of most of these people, Wood Ditton in Cambridgeshire 
on the west and Dedham in Essex on the south, being the points 
most distant from Ipswich whence any passengers on these ships 
are known to have come. 

As to the reason leading to the emigration of the brothers Holden 
we have only a tradition which was written down in the year 1814, 
bearing the title, “Copies of Records in the possession of Abiel 
Holden of Reading,” and dated January 2, 1814, “obtained by him 
from persons living in 1814, and from original family records now in 
the possession of Benjamin F. and Daniel Holden of Concord, New 
Hampshire, where their father died who was Asa Holden 1 of Woburn, 
Mass.” There is another version of the same story by Luther 
Holden, Abiel’s brother, dated 1848. We print herewith the two 
versions, that by Abiel, together with the gospel according to Luther, 
in parallel columns. 


Stoneham, 2d Jan. 1814 2 


1848 


A brief Genealogy of Richard Hoi- Copy of A Genealogy of the family 

den’s descendants. Why he came to of Holden . 3 

America. 


I expect he was born in that part 
called Scotland. 

Richard Holden, my great grand- Richard Holden came from England 

father’s grandfather, came from for the cause of religion. 

England for the cause of religion. The manner of his coming to this 

i Born 177S, uncle of the writer. 2 The author was less than sixteen years old, born 9 Mar., 1798. 

3 Author aged forty-three, born 25 Feb., 1805. 


THE STORY OF RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 33 


The reason of his coming (as I have 
been informed) was as follows: 

He was a dissenter of the Established 
church of England, and dissenters 
being forbidden any public worship, 
one day as he was agoing from one of 
their dissenting meetings 

he was seized by the Sheriff for going 
to the meeting, 


and must have went to prison or 
suffered the penalty, 
but one of his uncles happened to be 
riding in his coach that way (his 
name was James Holden, he was one 
of the Lords of England — his yearly 
income was twenty five thousand 
pounds sterling) when he saw him 
spoke to the sheriff that had seized 
him, to this effect “Tis a pity to 
carry this poor man to prison, he is 
my nephew,” and so spoke for that 
the sheriff said he would release him 
from suffering the penalty of the 
law upon condition 

that he would never go to any more 
dissenting meeting 

at first he gave them no answer in the 
affirmative which made his uncle 
angry and his uncle told him that 
those men act like gentlemen in 
offering to release you, therefor com¬ 
ply with their request, after a little 
deliberation he told them that he 
would go to no more dissenting 
meetings in that country, so they 
released him upon this promise. 

Soon after this he sought a voyage 
to America 

his youngest brother Justinian came 
with him 

to America who was then about 
twenty-one years old being a car- 


country was as follows: 

He was a dissenter to the established 
church of England, and all dissenters 
were forbidden public worship of 
their own order. But Richard 
Holden thought it more proper to 
obey God than man, and accord¬ 
ingly went to a dissenting meeting, 
and as he was returning home from 
the same, was arrested, and taken 
into custody by an officer, for break¬ 
ing their law, 

and must have suffered the penalty 
of the law 

had it not been for his uncle, who 
happened to be passing that way he 
being one of the lords of England 

made enquiry what he had done, and 
so spoke in his behalf 


that the officer said he would set 
him at his liberty again, upon con¬ 
dition 

that he should never go to any more 
dissenting meetings 

which put him to a stand at which 
his uncle was quite angry 


but after mature deliberation, told 
them he would go to no more dis¬ 
senting meetings in that country. 

Soon after this, he with his youngest 
brother Justinian came from Kent 
in England, to this country 

and settled in Watertown near 


34 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


pen ter by trade. Said Richard 
Holden was a glazier 1 by trade. 
There were four brothers of them 
to-wit said Richard Holden was 
the oldest, Adam Holden, William 
Holden and Justinian Holden. Their 
father died when they were young 
and they were put out to learn 
trades tho’ their father was rich — 
he owned thirteen houses 

Their mother married to another 
man after their father’s death who 
disposed of much of their estate 
sold two of their houses and put the 
children to serve apprenticeship 
when there was no real need of it 

when these brothers came to age 
they were going to apprehend their 
father in law for his unlawful man¬ 
agements but he ran away and so 
made his escape 

so Richard Holden who was the 
oldest and Justinian Holden who 
was the youngest came to America 
and settled in Watertown. 

I suppose about the year 1640. 


Boston 

There were four brothers of them, 
Richard Holden, who was the old¬ 
est, was by trade a glazier, Adam, 
William and Justinian. Their father 
died when they were young, and 
they were put out to learn trades, 
although they were rich; their 
father owned thirteen houses. 


After his death their mother mar¬ 
ried to another man who disposed 
of much of their estate unlawfully, 
sold two of their houses and put 
them out to serve apprenticeships 


when these brothers became of age 
their father-in-law expected to be 
apprehended by them, for his unlaw¬ 
ful conduct, and for that reason 
absconded, and so got clear of them 

Richard Holden and Jestinyan (who 
was a carpenter) came to America 
and settled in Watertown. 


In what year they came over we do 
not now know definitely, but from 
the best we can obtain it w r as about 
the year 1640. 

It is recorded that William 2 Holden 
came to Rhode Island, and that he 
was a Baptist and built a meeting 
house for that denomination there 


The said Richard and Jestinyan 
came to Watertown when the settle¬ 
ment was new and they could have 
land for taking it up and fencing it, 
and the salt marshes was free for 

'In another copy this word appears as “grasier,” perhaps the correct reading, for when the Groton 
meeting house was built in 1666, although Richard Holden was a prominent member of the church, the 
contract for glazing was let to Christopher Grant of Watertown, which would indicate there was no one 
following that trade in Groton. 

„ tl s A 9 u ndoubte dly an addition by Luther Holden who had learned of Randall Holden and in 
r. H. Holden s copy the name William was changed to Randall. 


THE STORY OF RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 35 


Richard Holden married either in 
England or this country, but I sup¬ 
pose in this country — his children 
were as follows: 

William- Samuel- John- Stephen- 
Justinian- Bartholomew. 1 

His daughters were six. 


anyone who would cut them. 

Richard took but ten acres of land, 
thinking that he could take more 
when he pleased, but Jestinyan took 
him a thousand. 

They both married. The children 
of Richard who was the oldest, was 
as follows: 


William, Samuel, John, Stephen, and 
Jestinyan and Bartholomew. 

Jestinyan married when he was 
thirty years old. to a woman who 
was forty, and lived with her thirty 
years and she died. He married 
again and had four children which 
were sons. 

Bartholomew and Jestinyan Holden, 
children to Richard, of whom we 
shall now treat, died without marry¬ 
ing; one died of a fever, the other by 
the fall of a tree. 

Richard Holden after he had lived 
in Watertown many years moved to 
Woburn where he lived but a short 
time, and from thence he moved to 
Groton where he died. 


The two manuscripts then continue with the history of the family 
in the line of the authors. 

That these narratives were pure fabrications is unlikely. The 
statement that Richard and Justinian were brothers and their rela¬ 
tive ages, nearly correct for Justinian, the approximate date of their 
arrival in this country and the connection of the names Adam and 
William, which recent discoveries have shown were family names 
in their home town of Lindsey, Suffolk, 2 all point to a well estab¬ 
lished family tradition. The story has, however, lost nothing in 
transit. The uncle, “one of the Lords of England” with an income 
of £25,000 per annum, and their father having owned thirteen 

1 There is no trace of a Bartholomew Holden. The reference to the death of one of the unmarried sone 
by fall of a tree identifies this supposed Bartholomew with Richard’s eldest son, Stephen. Justinian, ths 
younger, did not die unmarried. 

2 See introduction. 


36 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


houses, looks very much as though the wish had fathered the 
statement. 

A relative of the brothers was a man of some local influence 
in the English Church, a well-to-do clergyman. Priests of the 
established Church of England were ironically described in the 
bitter controversies of the day as “Lords of England.” The fact 
that the three parsons of the name in Suffolk had all suffered because 
of their leaning to the Puritan faction in the church, may have been 
forgotten in the more general classification of all clergy of the estab¬ 
lishment as enemies of New England, and even this experience, 
although long before the birth of the emigrants, may be the basis 
of the story of their own persecution, of which no trace has been 
found. It would be agreeable, of course, to have it proved that 
Richard and Justinian were of gentle blood or connection, but 
until some more authentic proof is unearthed we must be satisfied 
with the assets which we can be reasonably certain that they did 
possess. 

They had what is of more importance than blue blood in the 
founding and peopling of a new country, and that is red blood. No 
one who was timorous by nature would have ventured forth upon 
the seas for such an extended voyage to establish themselves in a 
country inhabited by wild beasts and hostile savages. 1 Richard 
Holden was one of the pioneer settlers of the town of Groton, Mass., 
helping to carve it from the wilderness under the constant threat of 
an attack from the surrounding Indians, which finally occurred 
13 March, 1675-6. As his house was one of the forty-six burned at 
this time and as his accumulation of stock and personal property 
was probably destroyed or stolen, he repaired with his family to 
Watertown, where he and Justinian had first settled down, and 
where Justinian was still living. But by 1684 he is again in Groton, 
after a short stay in Woburn and Cambridge. His name, also that 
of his son Justinian, is found in a list of names comprising those of 
heads of families resident in Groton, which was made up subsequent 
to twenty-ninth of November, 1680, but not much later. 

Up to 166i5 Richard was a member of tlife militia of Groton, but in 
that year he ^ends to the County Court in Cambridge a request for 
release from military duty which reads as follows: 


To the Hon’red The County Cort in Cambridge Oct ob 3 1665. 

The Humble request of Richard Holden of Groton Whereas the 
Providence of the alwise God hath ordered that sickness and weak- 
nesse in body hath followed mee & increased upon me this twenty 

1 Herein we see the difference between the emigrant of the seventeenth century and of today, aside from 
that of race. 


THE STORY OF RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 37 


yeare, & now a lingering consumption is more than formerly p r e- 
vailing upon mee, disenabling mee from service, especially to beare 
armes, & being never like to be capable of doo any good in a military 
way, my weaknesse and distemper being come to such a height, & 
God knows how it is likely to bee with mee, but it is little likely that 
y* body shld rise agen which hath been soe long failing; I wld yrfore 
entreat y* y 0T w pp8 w ld consider mee, and release mee fro training: 
Loth I have been, to trouble y or w pps this 7 years, though I had case 
enough, but now I am forced to ly at y or feet & wait y or pleasure, but 
not to trouble y or w p8 any further; confiding in y or benignitye 

I commed my selfe 

to y or w pa & Rest 

Groton Sep* ult. Richard Holden 

1665 

I doe conceive what is above expressed by Richard Holden is reall. 
witness my hand 

James Parker 

The truth of the statement, as may be seen, is attested in a post¬ 
script by the commander of the local train band, Captain Parker. 

Just what Richard’s ailment could have been is a mystery. It 
seems inconceivable that this “lingering consumption” could have 
been tuberculosis, as he lived to be eighty-seven and none of his 
family seems to have developed any such disease. It may mean only 
an undue emaciation resulting from overwork. With so large a 
family to provide for, he may have found the obligation of drilling 
an irksome burden, and perhaps underestimated the necessity for 
such constant preparation for defense, for the attack by the Indians 
did not come till ten years later. His children were just at the age 
when they needed the most care and were of the least assistance to 
him, and it is quite possible that, for these reasons, our respected 
ancestor made out a pretty good case for himself in his petition. 

It is, however, only just to his memory to say that he may have 
been entirely accurate in his statement and that he had some illness 
which incapacitated him for some time, but which subsided in later 
years, as his sons grew to an age when they could be of greater help 
to him. For whatever this “sickness” was, it does not seem to have 
impaired his vitality or that of his offspring. He himself lived to be 
eighty-seven, one son, Samuel, to eighty mine, and another, John, to 
ninety-nine. He had eleven children, fifty-two grandchildren and 
between two hundred and two hundred and fifty great-grandchildren. 
His descendants today, after only about three hundred years, num¬ 
ber in the thousands, so that it can be claimed with truth that it 
was a particularly vigorous line. It may also be stated with accuracy 


38 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


that few if any American families exceed the Holden family in their 
war record, another evidence of character and vitality. 

What was the physical type of these founders of this family in 
America? To answer that we must know what the race was from 
which Richard and Justinian Holden sprang — not nationality, but 
race — that race which was transplanted in the new world with such 
promise, which throve and multiplied by such leaps and bounds up 
to the middle of the last century, clean of blood, strong of limb, keen 
of intellect and stalwart of purpose, but which is now ceasing to 
perpetuate itself at anything like its former rate and is becoming so 
rapidly cross-bred with other European stocks. 

Some ten thousand years ago there were, according to many 
anthropologists, three primary races in Europe — the Mediterranean 
race whose habitat is explained by their name, a small, light-boned, 
dark-skinned, black-eyed people; the Alpine race, inhabiting central 
Europe, thicker-set, dark-haired, round-skulled; and the Nordic 
race, a tall, big-boned, long-skulled, fair-skinned, fair-haired and 
blue-eyed people, the only blond race in history. These Nordics 
originated or developed around the shores of the Baltic Sea, from 
which source they spread over most of Europe, becoming wherever 
they settled the ruling race. They were distinguished by their big¬ 
ness and blondness, as their direct descendants, the Swedes, show 
to this day. Their mental characteristics were as marked as the 
physical. Chief among these was their determination to rule and 
conquer. 1 When the stage of progress had been reached at which 
the northern tribes took to the sea they were not long in finding 
their way to the British Isles. 

The original Britons were of Mediterranean stock. They had 
migrated northward when the islands were still attached to the 
mainland. For centuries before authentic English history begins, 
there had been successions of migrations and conquests from 
Scandinavia and the regions about the Baltic, and the point of 
debarkation was almost always some place on the eastern and 
southern coasts of England, nearest to the homelands of the invaders. 
With each successive wave the smaller swarthy natives were pushed 
farther and farther westward, where their darker complexions and 
shorter stature is still shown in the populations of W'ales and western 
Ireland. 

At the opening of historic times the conquest and repeopling of 
Britain by the northern continental tribes is in full swing. After the 
Romans abandoned Britain in 400 A.D., floods of pure-blood Nordics 
poured into the islands for nearly six centuries. We have the Saxon, 


1 See The Passing of the Great Race, by Madison Grant; The Rising Tide of Color, by Lothrop 
Stoddard; Is America Safe for Democracy, by Professor William Macdougall, etc. 


•o 10 


Scale 1: +000000 

j>_ 2 o_40_co_m> 

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THE STORY OF RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 39 


the Danish and finally the Norman conquests. All of these peoples 
were of Nordic blood. 

England, and particularly the extreme eastern part of England, 
such as the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Kent, by the 
sixteenth century was almost solidly Nordic. Says Mr. Grant, in 
“The Passing of the Great Race”: 

“At the time of the Revolutionary War [in America] the settlers 
of the thirteen colonies were overwhelmingly Nordic, a very large 
proportion being Anglo-Saxon in the most limited meaning of that 
term. The New England settlers in particular came from those 
counties of England where the blood was almost purely Saxon, 
Anglian, Norse and Dane. . . . Nature granted to the American of 
a century ago the greatest opportunity in history to produce in the 
isolation of a continent a powerful and racially homogeneous people 
and had provided for the experiment a pure race of one of the most 
gifted and vigorous stocks on earth, a stock free from diseases, 
physical and moral, which have again and again sapped the vigor of 
the older lands. Our grandfathers threw away the opportunity in 
the blissful ignorance of national childhood and inexperience.” 

There is, therefore, more than a probability that these ancestors 
of ours were light-complexioned, with blue, gray or light-brown eyes, 
and fair-haired, or at least brown-haired instead of black. The 
blond of northern Europe has always been the better pioneer, par¬ 
ticularly in developing the colder lands. He is made for the out-of- 
doors, which was of necessity the life of the early colonists. And 
while that life continued he throve and increased. With the change 
from an agricultural to an industrial existence he began to fall 
behind in the struggle for numerical supremacy, the emigrants from 
southern and central Europe gaining on him rapidly, with a higher 
birth rate, and, as recent statistics show, a lower death rate. The 
factory and the furnace are beginning to sound his death-knell; over¬ 
luxury promises to drive the final nail in the coffin of his fecundity. 

But at the age of which we write not yet had anything happened 
to check the flow of Nordic blood which was pouring into this coun¬ 
try, uniting its streams and flowing on in an ever-increasing torrent, 
to fill the limited fertile areas of New England and then to overflow 
into the richer lands of the West, where today it is predominant. 
Richard Holden’s progeny are examples of a Nordic family in its 
proper habitat. Where Justinian’s family, and also that of Randall 
Holden of Rhode Island, were inclined to become town dwellers, 
merchants and professional men, Richard’s stayed by the soil, with 
a tendency to engage in trades on the side, such as carpentry, lum¬ 
bering, etc. Justinian’s line begins to slacken pace after the third 
generation, becoming comparatively scanty later on. 

Randall Holden’s descendants are not nearly so numerous as 


40 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Richard’s, particularly those carrying the name, the latter fact being 
due to the preponderance of daughters among his eleven children. 
Richard Holden’s descendants were, for the most part, plain farmer- 
folk of the frontier, but soon there appear a sprinkling of clergy¬ 
men, teachers and merchants in a small way. Today Richard’s 
descendants far outnumber those of the other two men in numbers 
and equal them in achievement. This is more than likely the result 
of their remaining so long in surroundings suitable for the propagation 
of their type, for those of Richard’s line who have become city 
dwellers show the same abrupt dropping off in the number of their 
offspring, a problem recommended for the study of present and 
future generations. 

Richard Houlding, Holdin, or, as it is now spelled, Holden, the 
elder of the two brothers who took passage from Ipswich on the 
Francis , was born probably in 1608 or 1609. His age in April, 1634, 
the date of sailing, is given as twenty-five years, and in April, 1661, 
as fifty-one years. 1 He died in Groton, March 1, 1695-6, aged 
eighty-seven. 

He married, probably prior to 1640, Martha Fosdick of Charles¬ 
town. According to her testimony, on the 6th of the 2nd. mo. ( i.e ., 
April), 1658, she was then aged thirty-eight years or thereabouts, so 
that she was about nineteen at the time of her marriage. She was, 
therefore, born in 1620 or the year following, and was one of the 
children of Stephen Fosdick of Charlestown, and is named in his 
will of the twenty-third of February, 1663-4. 

Richard and Martha Holden had eleven children, seven sons and 
four daughters. Martha Holden’s death is recorded in Watertown 
records as follows: “Mathee Houlding, wife of Richard Houlding, 
dyed the 6th of December, (1681).” 

Richard and Justinian are first mentioned in New England as 
residents of Watertown. They lived just east of Grove Street on 
Belmont Street and within the present bounds of Belmont. Richard 
moved to Woburn probably as early as 1649, but Justinian remained 
in Watertown until at least 1654, when he purchased a farm from 
the estate of Nathaniel Sparhawke, but did not take immediate 
possession. This farm extended to the shore of Fresh Pond in 
Cambridge. 

Richard is called as witness in a case in the county courts in 
1658 and again in 1661. His name appears in connection with many 
conveyances during his stay in Watertown and Woburn. 

The precise date of his removal to Groton cannot be obtained 
from the records, but it is a fair inference that he took a grant 
from the committee and began his settlement in the summer of 

1 Until 1752 the legal year began in March. The first three months of the year are thus double dated, as 
one reckons by new or old style. In allowing for years of age it is important to keep this fact in mind. 


THE STORY OF RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 41 

1661, though very likely not moving his family till the following 
spring. 

There is a book called the Indian Roll,” which when copied by 
Doctor Samuel A. Green consisted of loose leaves. This roll con¬ 
tained the records of lands held and laid out prior to the burning of 
the town. These surveys date from 1663, and are not necessarily of 
grants of the date on which they were approved. The original pro¬ 
prietors are meagerly represented in the Indian Roll. There is, in 
the surveys, mention of the bounds abutting on lands of both Richard 
and Justinian Houlding, 1 in Little Half Moon Meadow, South 
Meadow and Long Meadow, in 1666 in Broad Meadow and in 1670 
in the meadow adjoining the Little Pond near Massapog. In 1664 he 
possessed upland which bounded on Ralph Reed, on Daniel Pierce 
and probably John Morse, and other land bounding on Thomas 
Tarbell. 

A second division may have taken place in 1665, and subsequent 
divisions increased his holdings, none of which he alienated except 
to his sons, with the exception of four and one-half acres in the Little 
Half Moon Meadow, which he sold to John Barron of Concord in 
April, 1664, for a roan mare and boots for himself and wife. Stephen, 
with whom the father lived after the death of his wife, and evidently 
by agreement of all the children, came into possession of the entire 
estate lying in Groton, except thirty-three acres conveyed to Samuel 
in 1670. 

In his deed of 1682 to his son Stephen, Richard conveys eighteen 
acres of upland and swamp, some of it on the southern side of the 
brook by said Richard’s “formerly dwelling house” on the way to 
Nonoicoicus. This was adjacent to other lands of his, and there it 
is probable he first established himself. The eighteen-acre tract is in 
itself suggestive. Stephen lived in this vicinity. In 1689 his family 
was assigned to Lieutenant Jonas Prescott’s and the widow Sawtell’s 
garrison, which was in the southern part of the town. Nonoicoicus 
was in what is now Ayer. The Holden lands were to the southwest 
of the present village of Groton, and near the southern limits of 
the township, extending to the river. In 1683 an inventory was 
made of Richard Holden’s lands. For this record and a description 
of the exact location of the homes of Richard and his grandsons in 
Groton the reader is referred to the account of Stephen Holden, 
page 84. 

Richard Holden was an original member of Groton church. Doctor 
Samuel A. Green has printed a book of records kept by Reverend 
John Fisk, formerly of Salem and Wenham, but after 1663 of Chelms¬ 
ford. It contains the proceedings of a Council held in Groton 11-12 
mo., 1663, to consider certain dissensions which probably grew out 


1 His son. 


42 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


of the settlement of Mr. Samuel Willard as minister of the town. A 
church was not duly gathered and Mr. Willard ordained until 13 
July, 1664, although, by vote of the town 21 (June?), 1663, he had 
begun preaching in Groton a year earlier. The early church records, 
which might aid materially in determining facts in the life of Richard 
Holden, are lost. 

Mr. Fisk also records the proceedings of a second council held at 
Groton 10-3 mo., 1664, called to settle the differences there in order 
that they might proceed in an orderly way to form a church. It 
appears that there were seven church members in Groton, including 
the pastor, and to those four others were joined ( i.e ., non-members), 
“so as there were now 11, who now come into Nomination viz. ye 6 
brethren amongst them in full fellowship, with Mr Willard & 4 others 
of ye towne, viz. Mr Willard, Jam. Parker, Jam. Fiske, g. Lawrence, 
G. Salter, G. Martin, Jon. Nutting, Wm. Lakin, Elis Barnes, Rich. 
Holden, Mathias Fanworth. ” These eleven, after much consideration 
and some delay, eventually came to an agreement, and the result 
was the formal gathering of a church. 

The church records of Watertown prior to 1686 are lost, as are also 
the early church records of Woburn, hence it is not possible to say 
positively that Richard Holden was not in church membership in 
1663. The above record, however, w^ould imply that he was one of 
the four townspeople against whom none of the town could take 
exception, and who undoubtedly became regular members of the 
Groton church at its first meeting. 

The settlement at Groton progressed favorably for twenty years 
and there was every reason for the inhabitants to congratulate them¬ 
selves on their location and on the prosperous condition of their farms 
and town. Means of defense against the ever-dreaded Indians had 
not been overlooked and there was a military company in town 
commanded by Captain James Parker. The Indians, supplied by 
traders with guns and ammunition and addicted to the use of liquor, 
were becoming more boastful and restless, and the people of the 
frontier towns had often to take measures which would prevent 
drunken Indians from doing harm, but aside from this danger little 
was feared. The rising of Philip, and his energy and ability in 
stirring up the tribes, was unexpected, although there had not 
been wanting warnings that there was reason to expect an out¬ 
break. There are many instances on record where the treatment 
accorded Indians by individual wdiites was of a character sure to 
excite resentment. 

Groton took such precautions, w r hen hostilities commenced, as 
seemed necessary. Five houses w r ere fortified by palisades and 
designated as garrison houses to wdiich the inhabitants should retreat 
in case of an alarm. This did not come until March 2, 1675-6, when 


THE STORY OF RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 43 


a small band of Indians pillaged eight or nine houses, drove off some 
cattle and killed Timothy Cooper, a townsman. Four of the garrison 
houses were near one another, the fifth at a distance of half a mile. 
On the ninth of March, Indians surprised a party of four at work, of 
whom one was killed and another captured. Four days later a large 
body of the enemy appeared, said to have been as many as four hun¬ 
dred and burned the abandoned dwellings to more than forty, and the 
meeting house. Nutting’s garrison was successfully assaulted, but with 
small loss of life to the defenders. The women and children escaped 
to Captain Parker’s garrison. Finding further success impossible, 
the Indians withdrew from the neighborhood, a step the inhabitants 
were obliged to follow as their entire belongings had been destroyed, 
and to seek refuge mostly in the towns whence they had come to 
Groton. Many of the younger men and some of their elders volun¬ 
teered for active service against the Indians. Some were already 
veterans. This was the case with the younger Justinian, the son of 
Richard, who enlisted to the credit of Cambridge when his parents 
retired to Watertown, where they and the younger children were 
sure of shelter w T ith the elder Justinian. 

Some time about 1684 Richard returned to Groton, after a stay 
in Woburn, Watertown and Cambridge. His name, also that of his 
son Justinian, is found in a list of names comprising those of heads of 
families, which was made up soon after November 29, 1684. All of 
his children were married by or about this time. He was now an 
old man, his wife was dead, and there was no further incentive for 
him to keep up an independent establishment. He still owned 
landed property and rights in future divisions to the original 
proprietors. 

To his son Samuel he had already given thirty-three acres. In 
1691 he deeds to his son Stephen “all my lands and rights of land 
not yet taken up within the township of Groton in the County of 
Middlesex in New England. That is to say, The house and homested 
Orchard Fencing all moveables within doors and without chattels 
houses whatsoever.” This in return for Stephen’s care and main¬ 
tenance of him during the latter part of his life, for it was with 
Stephen that he spent the remainder of his days. In this deed of his 
property to Stephen he states that he had been living with him 
“contentedly” for several years past. 

In 1696 he died, full of years. His grave was probably marked 
with an uncarved bowlder, according to the custom of the day in 
remote districts, which has long since become overgrown with turf. 
The place is unknown. 

Justinian Holden, the younger of the two brothers, was born 
probably in 1611, as he was baptized on the sixth of October of that 


44 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


year. According to the tradition previously narrated, he was the 
youngest of four brothers, Richard being the eldest. 1 

Justinian was of a less nomadic nature, and possibly less venture¬ 
some than Richard, for he is found, living throughout his life in New 
England within a few miles of his first settlement, in adjacent parts 
of Watertown and Cambridge. His name first appears in the records 
of Cambridge when the committee on seating the attendants in 
meeting appointed Justinian Holden “to sitt in ye foremost seats.’ 

Perhaps because of his more stationary habits and probably also 
because of the destruction of Richard’s property by the Indians in 
1675, Justinian was the more prosperous man of the two. It was to 
Watertown where Justinian was living that Richard went after that 
calamity. The older brother named one of his sons for the younger, 
so it appears that there was a close bond between the two families. 

Justinian was twice married. His first wife, whom tradition reports 
as being much older than he, had no children. She died on the eigh¬ 
teenth of March, 1672-3, and he seems to have lost no time in finding 
consolation, as he was married the same year to Mary Rutter, daugh¬ 
ter of John Rutter of Sudbury. He went to the other extreme this 
time, as his second wife was thirty-five years his junior. Justinian 
was over sixty at the time of his second marriage, and his bride but 
twenty-five, yet the marriage seems to have been a happy one, since 
he leaves in his will “to dear and loving wife” the use of all his 
property up to the time of the youngest child attaining the age of 
twelve years. 

By this marriage he had seven children, four sons and three 
daughters. 

Justinian Holden was a farmer and carpenter, or, as he would now 
be described, a builder, and as his means permitted accumulated 
land, eventually devoting himself wholly to his profitable farming 
interests. It was customary for the early settlers to have a trade in 
addition to their occupation of farming, which they could put to use 
and financial advantage during the winters and in off seasons. 
Justinian is variously styled, in the deeds with which his name is 
connected, as planter, husbandman, carpenter and yeoman. He 
was a successful man, of good standing in the community. He kept 
servants, and his farm on the shore of Fresh Pond in Cambridge was 
valuable property. It was inventoried at the time of his death at 
£1,075, a goodly amount in those days. 

Justinian was admitted freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Com¬ 
pany May 6, 1657, which is proof of his standing in the church. 

He was probably one of the constables of Watertown in 1652 or 
1653. 2 He is called of Cambridge in 1664, when he is allowed ten 
shillings for killing a wolf and a fox. He was elected surveyor of 


1 See Introduction. 


2 See p. 58. 


THE STORY OF RICHARD AND JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 45 


Cambridge in 1672 and again in 1673. In 1681 the county court 
granted his petition that he be released from military duty by reason 
of “great deafness and giddiness in the head,” he being then seventy 
years of age. 

He died in August, 1691, aged eighty years, at his farm in 
Cambridge. 

By his will he bequeathed his farm to his wife and son, Samuel, 
until the youngest child should reach the age of twelve years. It is 
doubtful if the intent of the testator was to entail his principal 
messuage of 140 acres, but it was found necessary in 1712 for his 
heirs to petition the General Court to break the entail which resulted 
from the wording of the will. 

The materials for this outline of the careers of Richard Holden 
and his brother, Justinian, were obtained from the manuscript of 
Mr. Putnam. Further details will be found in place beyond. 

Roberta Holden Bole. 




FIRST GENERATION IN AMERICA 


1 Richard Holden, son of William Holden of Lindsey, county 
Suffolk, England, was born in the year 1609, if we accept the 
passenger list at the time of his migration, which nearly agrees 
with his age as given at other times and with what has been dis¬ 
covered concerning his father’s family. He died 1 March, 1695-6, 
at Groton, intestate. He married, perhaps as early as 1640, more 
likely in 1641, Martha Fosdick, born in 1620, in England, died 
6 Dec., 1681, at Watertown, daughter of Stephen Fosdick of Charles¬ 
town. 

As told in the preceding chapter Richard Holden was one of the 
early settlers of Groton, and although driven away at the time of 
the Indian war returned there after the death of his wife. He lived 
with his son Stephen, who had the homestead, the location and 
descent of which is described on page 81 ±. 

There is no record extant of the birth of the children given below, 
except of those recorded as born at Watertown or Woburn. A list 
of the children surviving in 1679 is obtained from Middlesex Deeds, 
7: 154, 297; two deeds in which the children of Richard and Martha 
Holden are named. The order of birth is therefore a matter of deduc¬ 
tion. 

Children: 

1 Stephen, born 19-5 mo. (July), 1642, at Watertown; died 12 Jan., 
1658-9, at Cambridge, as described in the following report of 
inquest: 

Camb r , 12 th of January 1658. _ 

Wee whose names are subscribed, being sumoned by the Const, 
'of Cambr to view the dead body of Steiven Holden lately deceased, 
we saw that his skull was [crjushed by a blow w ch (we were informed 
by Samuell Wood and Richard Parke—came by the falling of a 
tree, w ch himselfe had been helping to fall, and as he was going 
from it, the tree fell suddenly & contrary to the expectacion of all 
that were present, and gave him his mortal wound on his head. 

Edward Oakes, Edward Shephard, Jonas Clarke, William Man¬ 
ning, Thomas Swatman, Thomas Fox, Walter Hasting, Rob. 
Steddman, Gibert Cragbon, Thomas Longhorne, Humphry Bradsha, 
David Fiske. 5 (2) 1659. Attested on oath Tho. Danforth, 
Register 1 . 

2— 2 Justinian, born 1644 (aged 32 or thereabouts, Dec., 1676), at Water- 
town or Cambridge; died 1697-1700; married Mary: (2) Susannah 
(Dutton) Durrant. 

1 County Court files, 1659, Box 3. 


47 


48 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


3 Martha, born 15-11 mo. (Jan., 1646), 1645-6, at Watertown; died 

18 March, 1687-8, at Charlestown; married Thomas Boyden, 
born 26-7 mo., 1639, died 15 Nov., 1719 1 at Groton, son of Thomas 
and Frances Boyden of Watertown. Thomas Boyden did not prove 
a reliable helpmate, and his wife objected to being obliged to live 
with him. He seems to have been unable and perhaps unwilling to 
provide support for his family. It is from the court files relating 
to this case that we obtain the only contemporary statement of 
relationship between Richard and Justinian Holden, Sr., the latter 
being called “uncle” by Martha Boyden. 2 
Children: 3 

1. Martha Boyden, born 14 June, 1667, at Watertown; died between 

1709 and 1711, the date of her husband’s second marriage, at 
Woburn; married 27 Dec., 1688, at Woburn, 4 Timothy Reed, 
born 14 Feb., 1664-5, at Woburn, son of Ralph and Mary 
(Pierce) Reed of Woburn. 4 

2. Elizabeth Boyden, born 24 May, 1670. Said to have been of 

Boston, unmarried in 1693. 

3. John Boyden, born 29 Nov. (6 Dec.) 6 , 1672, at Groton; died 

24 Dec., 1754, at Walpole; 6 married Hannah. 

4. Jonathan (Captain), born 27 Sept., 1675; died at Groton; 

married Elizabeth Lakin; (2) 22 March, 1737, at Groton, 
the widow Lydia (Larkin) Sheple. 7 

5. Joseph Boyden, born 24 April, 1678; died 17 April, 1748, at 

Worcester; 5 married Rebecca. 

6. Benjamin Boyden (Bowden), born 29 May, 1683, at Charles¬ 

town. 

4 Mary; according to Wyman she died at Woburn, being of Groton 

(Woburn records are silent). Administration on her estate was 
granted 10 Aug., 1722, to John Williams, her second son, the eldest 
son being deceased. She married 11 July, 1666, at Groton, Thomas 
Williams of Groton who was dead in 1704. Thomas Williams in 
1686 was in possession of the Graves farm in Woburn, probably as 
lessee, when Dr. Thomas Graves sold his farm of 360 acres to 
Nathaniel Richardson. 8 This farm was composed of five lots, four 
of which were purchased by the elder Thomas Graves of Waterfield 
Proprietors, and adjoined his own grant in West Rockfield, extend¬ 
ing from the Charlestown (Stoneham) line on the east beyond the 

•Wyman: Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, and Butler: History of Groton. 

! County Court Files, 1685. Petition of Martha Boyden reciting that there happened uncomfortable 
differences between her and her husband Thomas Boyden: “he is now at My Uncle Holden’s at 
Fbesh Pond in Cambridge.” Dated at Woburn, 6 July, 1685. 

At a court held July 7, 1685, it was ordered that Thomas Boyden give bond in £20 for good behaviour, 
and to allow his wife 10 shillings monthly for support of herself and children, and not to interfere with the 
children already placed as follows: 

John, aged 13, with John Carter, Jr., of Woburn, Jonathan, aged 10, with John Melvin of Charlestown, 
Joseph, aged 7, with Francis Moore of Cambridge, with whom they are to remain until they are 21. At 
the next court Melvin declined to keep Jonathan, and asked the Court to make other arrangements. 

5 The five eldest children are recorded on Woburn records, where it is stated that the births were entered 
“by their mother’s request, because of their moving to and fro in the Indian war, some of them were never 
recorded anywhere else, and the rest of the records were lost.” Benjamin’s birth is found at Charlestown, 
“son of /Thomas and Martha Bowden.” In her petition mentioned above she stated she had six 
children. 

♦Town records. 5 County Clerk’s records. 6 Descendants of Thomas Boyden. 

7 Mrs. Mary Sanborn (Boyden) Slater of San Francisco (1917) is a descendant of Captain Jonathan 
Boyden. 

8 Middlesex Deeds, 10:524. 


FIRST GENERATION IN AMERICA 


49 


Aberjona River, and included grants to the wife of John Harvard, 
Abraham Palmer, James Matthews and John Stratton. On the 
southeast it was bounded by the 40-acre lot of Stephen Fosdick 
upon which John Holden lived for a time. 

Children: 

1. Thomas Williams, born 17-1 mo., 1667, at Groton; died there 

4 Aug., 1704. 1 He was a wheelwright, and left a widow Eliza¬ 
beth who married, second, probably in 1706, Benjamin 
Swallow. 

2. John Williams, born 3 Nov., 1668; died 17 Jan., 1752, aged 85, 

(Reverend Mr. Cooke’s record of deaths) and his wife Mary 
17 Feb., 1772, aged 102. Had administration on his mother’s 
estate 1722, and it was probably his son John Williams who 
witnessed the bond of his father as administrator. This 
younger John is also probably the John Williams who married 
17 April, 1718, Margaret Gooding. 2 John Williams the elder 
was appointed guardian of James Holden, son of Justinian 
{Richard) in 1700, then being of Cambridge, and the name of 
Jason Williams appears on his bond. This John Williams was 
called kinsman of James Holden, and is undoubtedly that 
John of Menotomy who had wife Mary and whose family, 
including Jason Williams, born 1 Nov., 1694, Paige records. 

3. Mary Williams, born 3 Feb., 1672; married Andrew Beard of 

Menotomy and Billerica, who died 8 Jan., 1717-8. She 
married (2) 16 Jan., 1729-30, James Frost of Billerica. 3 

4. Hannah Williams, born 1-12 mo., 1674; married Andrew 

Wilson of Cambridge, born 17 April, 1670, died 1722, son of 
Robert and Deborah (Stevenson) Wilson. 

5. Stephen Williams of Woburn, 1716; married, 1697, at Woburn, 

Bethiah Carter. 

5 John, born 17 March, 1649-50, at Woburn. 4 
6- 6 Samuel, born 1650-1 ; 5 died 1739; married Anna. 

7 Sarah, born about 1658; survived her husband; married 20 Dec., 
1677, at Cambridge, Gershom Swan, born 30 June, 1654, died 
2 July, 1708, son of John and Rebecca (Palfrey) Swan. 6 They 
lived in that part of Cambridge called Menotomy (now Arlington). 
She joined in deed of July, 1679. 

Children: 6 

1. Sarah Swan, died 25 April, 1699, aged 20, unmarried. 

2. Rebecca Swan, born 24 Aug., 1681; died young. 

3. John Swan, born 3 Oct., 1683; died 31 March, 1752, at Menotomy; 

twice married, both wives being named Elizabeth. 

4. Ruth Swan, born 25 Dec., 1685; married 24 April, 1711, The- 

ophilus Richardson of Woburn, who died 1723. She married 


\ 

sSee^ymf^^CAarl^oum Estates, Bucknam’s Stoneham Families (Ms.), Butler’s Groton, and Paige’s 

Cambridge. , 

*Hazen: History of Billerica. 4 1 own records. 

sflorn 8 June, 1650, according to Abie! Holden, probably an error for 8 Jan., 1650-1, as the preceding 
child was born in March. 

6 Paige: Histoty oj Cambridge. 


50 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


(2) Ebenezer Parker of Stoneham. 

5. Abigail Swan, born 12 Feb., 1686-7; married 1 July, 1714, John 

Richardson of Woburn, who died 1745. 

6. Lydia Swan, born 10 Nov., 1689; married 2 Feb., 1714-15, 

William Mansur of Medford. 

7. Rebecca Swan, baptized 14 Aug., 1698; married 2 Feb., 1714-15, 

George Abbott of Cambridge. 1 

8- 8 John, born 1656 or 1657, aged 22 in 1679; died 18 Oct., 1756; married 

Abigail ; (2) Sarah Pierce; (3) Abigail Morse. Joins in deed 

of July, 1679. 

9- 9 Stephen, born after 1658; joins in deed of 1679; died 1715; married 

Hannah Lawrence. 

10 Thomas; joins in deed 1679, the last mention of him. 

11 Elizabeth; unmarried in 1679, when she joined in deed; died 1703, 

at Woburn; married 21 March, 1681-2 at Woburn, John, son of 

Ralph and Mary (Pierce) Reed. Ralph Reed, who married a 

daughter of Anthony Pierce of Watertown, until removal to 

Woburn, was a near neighbor of Richard Holden in Groton. 

Children: 2 

1. John Reed, born 22 March, 1683-4. 

2. Ralph Reed, born 6 Sept., 1686. 

3. Elizabeth Reed, born 25 March, 1690. 

Richard Holden lived in Watertown, Woburn, and Groton, and 
temporarily in Cambridge. There is nothing to indicate that he 
was in possession of any estate when he came to New England, or 
although he became a considerable land owner, that he acquired 
more than what was sufficient to support himself and family in a 
comfortable and fitting manner. Neither his location in Watertown 
or Woburn was suitable for farming with success, and the destruc¬ 
tion of Groton by the Indians probably deprived him of whatever 
accumulation he had made in stock and personal property. Never¬ 
theless he was respected, and maintained an honorable position. 

There is no record extant which fixes the date when Richard 
Holden and his brother Justinian first settled in Watertown. They 
lived just east of Grove Street on Belmont Street and within the 
present bounds of Belmont. 3 On the tenth of the third month, 1642, 
a highway six rods wide was ordered laid out from Justinian Holden’s 
lot to George Parkhurst’s house. This is Grove Street. This order 
was passed in May, and in the following July Watertown records 
mention the birth of Richard Holden’s son, Stephen. 

Among Watertown records are three “inventories,” one of “grants 
and possessions,” the others respectively of “grants” and of “pos¬ 
sessions.” The internal evidence of these inventories indicates that 
they were made up in 1643. 4 The date 1644 is affixed to the “Record 

1 Paige: History of Cambridge. 2 Town records. 

•Belmont was incorporated in 1859 and comprised portions of the old towns of Watertown and Cam¬ 
bridge. 

•The record of town proceedings from November, 1643, to November, 1647, are lost. 


FIRST GENERATION IN AMERICA 


51 


of the Grants and Possessions of the Lands in Watertowne,” in which 
the possessions of Richard Holden are given as follows: 

1. An Homestall of Five Acres bounded the South with the 
highway the North with George Parkus jun. the East with John 
Stebbin & the West with Justinian Holden. 

Three Acres of upland bounded the North with the highway 
the South with the Meetinghouse land & the West with Henry 
Kemball jun. 

The omission of this record, and of that of the holdings of Justinian 
Holden, from the inventory devoted solely to grants, and its appear¬ 
ance in the third inventory devoted wholly to possessions not grants, 
is good evidence that the Holden brothers purchased their homestalls 
sometime prior to 1642 and subsequent to the division of 1638. 1 

The homestall of Richard Holden is now cut up into house lots, 
and is rapidly being built over. He owned it as late as 5 Jan., 1648, 
as on that date George Parkhurst sold to William Page ten acres 
near the Great Pond (Fresh Pond) bounding south on land of Richard 
Holden. 2 But in 1653 this lot was in the possession of Rev. John 
Sherman, who lived in a house upon it. The other lot was nearly 
opposite his brother Justinian’s homestall, on the southern side of 
Belmont Street. A third lot is shown on the Bond map as situated 
on the southern side of Mt. Auburn Street near the gate and within 
the present bounds of Mt. Auburn, approximately where the admin¬ 
istration buildings stand. 

The Watertown records, with the above exception and the two 
items noted below, are silent with regard to Richard Holden. On 
the 31 Aug., 1679, the constables are allowed credit for “loss of 
Richard Holdings Rate 1 s. 6 d.” and also for the loss of Thomas 
Williams rate of 9 pence. And at a meeting of the selectmen 31 
March, 1681-2, “Corparall Willingtun and John Stone gave in an 
accounte how they had bin with Dannill maginna whome they heard 
had hired a house of Richard Houldin in our towne. ” 

From deeds on record we learn that Richard Holden called himself 
of Watertown in June, 1682, as he had in November, 1678. In 
November, 1685, he was in Cambridge, when he acknowledged the 
deed of June, 1681. But in July, 1685, he styles himself of Groton. 
There is nowhere on record a deed disposing of any of his land in 
Watertown, and approximate dates only can be supplied, obtained 
by finding conveyances of adjoining lots which are described as 
bounding on land known as his formerly, or by the sale of lands 
formerly his by other parties. We may assume he sold his homestall 

1 In November, 1635, the town voted there being too many inhabitants “that no one coming in or any 
family arising among ourselves, shall have any right to commonage or undivided lands except what they 
purchase, unless they buy a man’s right.” The townsman of that date was not necessarily a freeman. 
On the 26 June, 1637, a grant of the Remote or West Pine meadows was divided and lotted out by the 
Freemen to all the Townsmen then inhabiting, being 113 in number. 

2 Suffolk Deeds, I: 101. 


52 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


between 1648 and 1653, on his removal to Woburn, probably in 
1649, for he testified at a county court held at Cambridge in Decem¬ 
ber, 1658, regarding the layout of a road to Converse’s Mill, that 
the committee “showed us” in the spring of 1649, where they laid 
out the way. 1 

The present first volume of Woburn records, although 250 years 
old, is a copy of a still earlier volume. On page 15 is found the 
following record: 

“24-4mo., 1650. 

It wase then agreed that the committee formarly appointed to 
laye out land . . . shall also laye out to Richard houlden soe much 
as shall make up the full of thurty acres being added to that hee 
hath alredy as allso to make up the like sum to Robart perce and 
Joseph knight.” 

The above record implies a former grant to Holden of which no 
other record exists. The rate lists for 1645 and for 1646 are recorded 
but neither contains his name. Those for the years 1647 to 1650 
are not of record. Further mention of Richard Holden as a resident 
is found on these records in the years 1654, 1657 and 1658, and in 
the latter year he was one of a committee to lay out lands. 

Holden lived at the East End in the same neighborhood as the 
Reads, hence the demand by Edward Johnson, 16 Feb., 1658, that 
“Richard Houldun and Martha his wife” be summoned with others 
in a case against Ralph Read. 2 

Holden appears once more in court as a witness, 2 April, 1661, and 
he was still a resident in Woburn. Michael Bacon was sued by 
John Johnson for a balance of a running account. Richard Houlden 
“aged 51 or thereabouts” testified “that Michael Bacon owned he 
had received linen cloth on Johnson’s account at Boston.” 

Woburn records 3 7 July (September), 1662, refer to the house 
“that was Richard houldens” and then owned by John Johnson, 4 
and also, 2 Dec., 1668, we find “John Wyman, Francis Kendall, 
Samuwell Bloget are appointed a committee to laye out to Ralph 
Reed, William Simons and the sucsesors that have purchased Richard 
houldens wright the severall proportions of swamp acording to the 
Towne grant as it is Recorded in the Towne Book at Rock medow, 

1 Middlesex files, 7:10. 

2 Middlesex files, 8 mo., 1658. This case is important as it introduces the testimony of Richard Holden 
and his wife Martha, aged 38, who seem to have lived between the houses of Ralph Reed and Michael 
Bacon, Jr. At that time Richard Holden had two cows sick. Read claimed that because he was forward 
in charging Captain Edward Johnson and his sons with felling much lumber on the town common and 
transporting a hundred trees or more, which led to an investigation by the town, and apparently to con¬ 
siderable debate, Johnson sought to injure him. Reed became Holden’s next neighbor in the early years 
at Groton. 

* Yol. 1, p. 27. 

4 Richard Holden of Cambridge, husbandman, to John Johnson of Woburn, carpenter, the homestead 
where I formerly lived in Woburn at a place called the East End by estimation twenty acres: also eleven 
acres at Pine Plain, also a piece of meadow three acres at Bull meadow, also three acres meadow in Great 
meadow above the bridge. Wife Martha Holden. Dated 18 June, 1681. Acknowledged at Cambridge, 
11 Sept., 1685. 


FIRST GENERATION IN AMERICA 


53 


as also to William Clarke and Michall Bacon the like at bull medow.” 

No further mention of Richard Holden is found on the Woburn 
records until 1683, although the church, ministry, town, and country 
rates were frequent, and carefully recorded. In that year it is 
recorded: “There is lost of the minister’s rate ... Of Richard 
Houlden 7 sh.” 

His name is not on the country rate of that year, made up in 
August, but is on the town rate of 10 Oct., 1683, as follows: 

“Richard Houlden 1 sh. 8 pence.” 

His son, John Holden, also appears on this list rated for one 
person, “2 sh.” 

No further mention is found except the item in the treasurer’s 
account of 1684, “paid to Richard Houlden, 5 sh. 7 pence.” From 
these items it is plain he had temporarily resided in Woburn prior 
to his return to Groton, probably during part of the year 1683. 

Richard Holden removed from Woburn to Groton before Sep¬ 
tember, 1662. 

A plantation to be called Groaten 1 had been granted by the General 
Court, 23 May, 1655, in response to two petitions, one signed by 
Mr. Dean Winthrop, Mr. Thomas Hinckley and “divers others,” 
and the other by inhabitants of Concord, both asking for a grant 
at Petapawag on the Nashua River. The grant was to both sets of 
petitioners, and “for the present Mr. Dean Winthrop, Mr. John 
Tinker, Mr. Thomas Hinckley, Dolor Davis, William Martin, 
Matthew Harrington, John Witt, and Timothy Cooper are appointed 
the Selectmen for the said town for two years from the time it is 
laid out, to lay out and dispose of particular lots, not exceeding 
twenty acres to each house lot, and to order the prudential affairs of 
the place, at the end of which time, other Selectmen shall be chosen 
and appointed in their room.” 2 

On 16 March, 1656, Dean Winthrop, Dolor Davis, William Martin, 
John Tinker, Richard Smith, Robert Blood, John Larkin, and Amos 
Richenson, representing themselves as inhabitants of Groton, sought 
relief from “country taxes” for three years, and permission to employ 
another than Mr. Danforth to lay out their grant. And on the 14 
May this petition was granted. 

Three years later John Tinker petitioned the General Court for 
the appointment of a committee to take under consideration the 
affairs of the plantation which as yet remains unpeopled. Such a 
committee was appointed 21 Aug., 1659, which reported the same 
month that not above four or five families were then settled there, 
and that they do not find that the interest these first settlers claim 
in the land is just or legal. Hence they recommend that the old 

1 The Winthrops were from Groton, England, as well as Richard Holden, but unlike him neither Dean 
Winthrop or any of his family settled in Groton, New England. 

3 Butler: History of Groton, p. 12. 


54 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


planters and their assigns be allowed to keep only ten acres meadow, 
twenty acres houselot, ten acres intervale, and ten acres of other 
upland, and that the rest of the grant be divided to accommodate 
at least sixty families. And that at the first division of lands such 
as have one hundred fifty pounds estate be allowed equally with 
the old planters above and that none exceed, and that none have 
less than ten acres for their houselot, five acres of meadow, five 
acres of other land (of which half to be intervale), but only on certain 
conditions, the principal of which was that they go up with their 
families within two years after their grant. The pow r er of admitting 
inhabitants to be referred to a committee of meet persons until the 
plantation be in some measure filled wfith inhabitants and be enabled 
regularly to carry on the same themselves. In granting of lots 
children were to have their due consideration with estates. This 
report was approved of by the General Court 22 May, 1661, who 
appointed Thomas Danforth, Edw r ard Johnson, and Ephraim Child 
a committee to manage the affairs of the plantation until meet men 
should be found among the inhabitants. 

Of the committee empowered to grant lands Edw r ard Johnson 
w r as of Woburn, where Richard Holden w r as living, Thomas Danforth 
was of Cambridge, and at a slightly later period owned lands adjoining 
Justinian Holden. Ephraim Childs was of Watertown. 

Richard Holden, perhaps influenced by the report of Edwnrd 
Johnson, the leading man in Woburn, was among the first of the 
new settlers attracted to Groton, going thither in the summer of 1661. 

In a list of “The furst grant of every man in this town” made 
out upon the resettlement of the town, probably as a basis for the 
assessment of the rate voted in March 1678-9, 1 Richard Holden is 
down as having one “18 acre right,” and Justinian Holden as pos¬ 
sessing a “7 acre right.” 

Richard Holdin is first mentioned on Groton town records, which 
begin w^ith an entry dated 23 June, 1662, under date of 13 May, 
1666, — due “rich holdin” for laying out highways and other time 
spent for town use 2 shillings. 

At a meeting of the selectmen 10 Jan., 1669, sw T ine are ordered 
divided into three herds, W T hereof “one to begin at William Martins 
and to Nathaniell Lorances taking in Peleg Lorance and William 
Greenes The second from Samuell Woods to Mathias Farnworth 
taking in Richd holden and Joshua Whitney and his neighbors.” 
Richard Holden was in the same division 24 Feb., 1670, and this 
same month highways w r ere laid out through his land. 

At the town meeting 14 Oct., 1672, the towm voted to give Mr. 
Willard a salary of £80 of which one third w r as to be in provisions, 
“and furder these persons here set downe doe promise and Ingage 

1 Green: History of Groton, pp. 54, 55. 


FIRST GENERATION IN AMERICA 


55 


to git Mr. Willard hay mowing making and fetching home for eight 
shilling per load at a seasonable time (viz) in the midle of Jully.” 
Twelve persons signed this agreement, among whom was Richard 
Holden. 

At the town meeting held 10 Dec., 1673, Richard Holden was 
chosen one of the four surveyors and also one of a committee instructed 
to effect a settlement with Samuel Davis. The committee were 
John Morse, town clerk, William Longley, constable, John Page, 
one of the selectmen and surveyors, Richard Holden and Justin 
Holden, who report 13 December that they had “condescended 
upon Samuell Davises request to enterchang two parsells of land.” 

As shown in the preceding chapter, Richard Holden, on the destruc¬ 
tion of the town, retired to Watertown, and did not return until 1684. 


Fosdick 

Stephen Fosdick, father of Martha Holden, was of Charlestown 
in 1635. He was born about 1584, as in 1653 he was aged 70 years, 
and in 1659 was about 75 years of age. He died 21 May, 1664, at 
Charlestown, leaving a will dated 23 Feb., 1663-4, proved 21 June 
following. In 1664 his widow Sarah, who was sister of John Wetherell, 1 
stated she was aged 75, “had been near 40 years the wife of Fosdick,” 
and upon her marriage had six of his children to care for. The 
name of his first wife, the mother of Martha Holden, is not known. 
Stephen Fosdick was admitted to the church 6-2 mo., 1638, and free¬ 
man 7 Sept., 1638, his name being entered by the clerk as “Fosditch. ” 

The list of his “possessions” made out in 1638, shows he held one 
dwelling house with a garden plot at Sconce Point, butting southeast 
on the harbor. He had commons for two cows, and 69 1-2 acres in 
several parcels, one of which was 40 acres in West Rockfield. 2 Later 
he bought two or three small parcels. 

In his will he gave to his wife “the four rooms we now make use 
of, one over another, the bed we now lye on, and the hutches, and 
the little table that are in the roomes,” etc., and those things con¬ 
venient for her during her life, and also half the upper garden next 
to Mr. Shaplye’s and Michael Long during her life. After her death 
the house and lands were to return to his executors; the movables 
to be equally divided “between my grandchildren, children of 
James Barrett and Richard Holding that are now living.” 

lJohn Wetherell in 1663 calls Sarah, wife of Stephen Fosdick, his sister. He had wife Grace and daugh¬ 
ter Mary, both of whom died in his lifetime. He lived in Sudbury and Watertown, dying in the latter 
town 23 Jan., 1672. He divided his property by will between his kinsmen James Thorpe and Ralph Day. 
his kinswoman Mary Webb, and to William Priest of Watertown. Thorpe and Day were of Dedham, and 
seem to have been connected with the Yorkshire emigrants. Fosdick’s second marriage took place ten 
years before his removal to New England. It is probable he too was from the north of England. 

2 Charlestown Book of Possessions, p. 70. 



56 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


To daughter “Martha the wife of Richard Holding” £10, also 
40 acres land in Oburne (Woburn), bounded southeast by land of 
Faintnot Wines, elsewhere by the common — this land to continue 
to Richard Holding for the term of his life — and if Martha die 
before her husband, then the £10 and 40 acres to be equally divided 
between the children of Martha Holding. 1 He mentions daughter 
Hannah, wife of James Barrett, and her son Stephen Barrett; 
daughter Marah, wife of Thomas Web; grandchild Stephen Fosdick; 
grandchild Samuel Fosdick, son of John, after his father’s decease, 
the house in Charlestown, the barn, yard and garden belonging to it, 
the hay lot, the two cow commons and the woodlot, “to him and his 
heirs male and so to run in the generation of the Fosdicks forever.” 
Other legatees were grandchild John Fosdick son of John, and two 
children of son Thomas (apparently deceased). 

His estate was inventoried at £500, including the housing, wharf 
and orchard valued at £160; rails and timbers on the wharf, etc., £5; 
one half the great boat, £5; farms at Mystic Side, £50; 40 acres land 
at Oburne, £20. 

Fosdick was a carpenter. He was one of the appraisers of the 
house and acre of land which John Edwards was to buy of Harman 
Garret in Charlestown, under an agreement dated 17-7 mo., 1640. 
Edwards sought to have the bargain set aside, asserting that the 
valuation was not by four indifferent men but by Stephen Fosdick 
and Robert Nash, the former suggested by Garret, who “much 
commended the said Steven Fossedike saying that he was an honest 
man and a member of the church, and one that helped build the 
said house and one whome he might w r ell put this matter unto and 
to him onely and that the said Harman Garret thought to make 
choice of him for himselfe. ” 2 

Children, by first wife: 

1 Hannah, aged 50 in 1665, married, probably in 1643, James Barrett 

of Charlestown, who later settled in Malden. 

2 Martha, aged 38 in 1658; married Richard Holden. 

3 Thomas, died 21 June, 1650. 

4 Samuel, died 22 May, 1649, carpenter of the ship Fortune. 

. Two others, who may have died prior to the migration. 

By second marriage: 

5 John, aged 30 or thereabouts in 1659; died 17 Sept., 1716, aet. 90 years 

(g.s.); married Anna Branson, who died 1679; (2) Elizabeth 

Betts, who died 27 Sept., 1716. 

6 Mary, aged 30 in 1660; married Thomas Webb. 

Richard Holden and Martha, his w ife, conveyed by deed dated 19 July, 1679, to their children, Justinian, 
John, and Stephen Holden, Martha wife of Thomas Boyden, Sarah wdfe of Gershom Swan, Elizabeth 
Holden, Samuel Holden, Mary wife of Thomas Williams, and Thomas Holden, forty acres of land in 
Woburn bequeathed by will of Stephen Fosdick. Middlesex Deeds, 7:297. 

*Lechford’s Nole-Book, p. 415. 


FIRST GENERATION IN AMERICA 


57 


~ Justinian Holden, son of William, and younger brother of 
Richard Holden, was born in 1611, baptized 6 Oct., 1611, at Lindsey, 
Suffolk, England, aged 23 in 1634; died August, 1691, 1 at Cambridge; 
married about 1641, Elizabeth, who died 18 March, 1672-3, at 
Cambridge. 2 The Luther Holden account states that “Jestenyan 
married when he was thirty years old, to a woman who was forty, 
and lived with her thirty years, and she died. He married again, and 
had four children which were sons.” 

He married, second, in 1673, Mary Rutter, daughter of John and 
Elizabeth Rutter of Sudbury, who testified 11 April, 1692, that she 
was aged 45 years; and 12 Nov., 1716, conveys to John Amsden of 
Marlboro all her right in the second division of land allotted to her 
father, John Rutter, Sr., deceased. 3 

Children, born at Cambridge: 2 

1- 1 Samuel, born 28 April, 1674; died 1726; married Susanna Shattuck. 

2- 2 John, born 18 July, 1675; died 1767; married Grace Jennison. 

3- 3 Isaac, born 26 May, 1677; died 8 March, 1772; married Joanna 

Shattuck. 

4 Mary, born 21 March, 1678-9. She was living in Marlboro, unmar¬ 

ried, 14 Oct., 1702, when she sells to James Barnard of Watertown 
her third part of 20 acres there, bequeathed by Justinian Holden 
to his daughters. 4 She is said to have married Samuel Ward of 
Marlboro, 5 born March, 1678, died 27 Feb., 1737-8 at Marlboro, 
son of Samuel and Sarah (How) Ward. His widow Mary died 
17 Jan., 1758. 6 

Children, 6 born at Marlboro: 

1. Ephraim Ward, born 26 June, 1705; married Susannah Weeks; 

(2) Hannah Ward. 

2. Absolam Ward, born 20 Sept., 1706; died 21 Jan., 1788, at 

Southboro; married Mary Wilkinson. 

3. Tamur Ward, born 11 Sept., 1708; died unmarried. 

4. Samuel Ward, born 11 Jan., 1709-10; died unmarried. 

5. Usley Ward, born 23 Aug., 1711; married 30 March, 1736, 

Nathan Prescott of Marlboro. 

6. Uriah Ward, born 2 Aug., 1716; died 1791, at Charlton; married 

8 April, 1741, Sarah Oaks; (2) 13 May, 1790, Abigail 
(Harwood) McIntire. 

7. Benjamin Ward, born 10 Nov., 1719; died 1802, at Charlton; 

married Mary Oaks. 

5 Grace, born 13 Aug., 1681; died 9 Nov., 1714, at Watertown; married 

iWilliam Shattuck deposed 19 April, 1692, that Justinian Holden moved to his farm in Cambridge, 
last part of December or beginning of January, and there remained until the day of his death about the 
middle of August following, and that Samuel Garfield had been his servant eighteen or nineteen years 
past. The widow, Mary Holden, testified that Garfield had lived with her husband one and three-quarters 
years in the limits of Watertown, some months before his decease. Middlesex files. 

2 Town records. 3 Middlesex Deeds, 18:483. 5 F. A. Holden ifs. 

^Middlesex Deeds, 14:80. Elizabeth and Grace also conveyed their interest, in 1708 and 1712 respec- 

tlV «Marlboro records. Ward Genealogy , pp. 27, 52, where the family name of the wife does not appear. 
Samuel was second cousin of General Artemas Ward, Commander-in-chief of the Masachusetts troops 
until Washington took command. 


58 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


17 Dec., 1713, at Watertown, 1 Benjamin Eddy ,born 16 Sept., 
1673, at Watertown, died 19 Dec., 1729, 1 at Oxford, son of Samuel 
and Sarah (Meade) Eddy. She chose her “uncle,” Isaac Amsden 
of Marlboro, her guardian, 12 Sept., 1698. He had married her 
aunt, Jane Rutter. 

Child: 

1. Grace Eddy, born 24 Oct., 1714, at Watertown; married 20 Feb., 
1746, Jabez Stockwell 1 of Sutton. 

6-6 Joseph, born 6 Sept., 1683; died 30 Nov., 1768; married Abigail 
Shattuck, (2) Mrs. Elizabeth Russell. 

7 Elizabeth, born 6 May, 1686, baptized 24 Oct., 1686, at Watertown; 
died 1767 in her “eightieth year,” 2 or, according to F. A. Holden, 
quoting an “Ancient Manuscript” (probably Abel Holden’s), in 
1766, where she is described as “a woman of a good degree of under¬ 
standing, smartness of temper, yet well under the government of 
reason, she was perhaps near forty years of age before she married.” 
She married 31 May, 1728, at Watertown, Henry Goddin, born 
28 Oct., 1704, died 1759, son of William and Mary (Pease) Goddin. 
Administration on her estate, then being a widow, was granted to 
Henry Holden (232) 1 Dec., 1767, who rendered an account as 
executor of the will of Henry Goddin, Dec., 1768. 

Justinian Holden arrived in New England in 1634, but the first 
mention found of him is in Watertown records, 3 10 3d mo. 1642, 
when his lot is mentioned, and on that day it was ordered by the 
Town that townsmen who had not had farms laid out formerly should 
take them “ten in a division.” By this vote Justinian Holden 
obtained a farm of forty acres. The grant was according to “head 
of persons and cattle,” thirteen acres of upland to each. He was 
not named among the townsmen, 113 in number, June, 1637. In 
the inventory of each man's possessions, made up between 1639 
and 1644, his possessions are listed as: 

A homestall of five acres, bounded south with the highway, north 
by land of George Parkhurst, east by the homestall of Richard 
Holden and west by that of John Rogers. 

Thirty acres 4 of upland, being a great dividend in the fourth 
division and the nineteenth lot. 

Forty acres of upland for a farm in the seventh division. 

Three acres and three roods of upland bounded on the north and 

1 Town records. 2 Wyman: Charlestown Estates. 

3 YVatertown Town and Proprietors records have been printed, also those of Cambridge. 

4 The thirty acres of the fourth division was originally granted Frances Onge, July 25, 1636. She died 
November, 1638, aged 55 years. She had previously lived in Lavenham, Suffolk, and left children of whom 
are supposed to be Simon Onge, who died unmarried in 1678, and his brother, Jacob Onge of Groton, on 
whose bond, as executor of his brother’s estate, Justinian Holden was surety. Another child may have 
been Mary Onge, who was a passenger on the same ship as the Holdens, and then aged 27. Simon Onge 
was born about 1622. No settlement of the estate of Frances Onge has been found, hence it is only surmise 
that she may have been mother of Justinian Holden’s first wife. Justinian Holden was intimately acquainted 
with Simon Onge’s affairs as appear by depositions in 1679. See Massachusetts Archives, 16:154. As 
his wife was deceased in 1679, without leaving children, Justinian Holden was not entitled to participate 
in the division of Simon’s estate, if he was a brother-in-law. The Luther Holden narrative states that 
Justinian was married at thirty years of age, which agrees with the probable date of his becoming a towns¬ 
man in Watertown, and that his wife was tan years his senior. 



Northern Shore of Fresh Pond, One of the Bounds of Farm of Justinian Holden 











FIRST GENERATION IN AMERICA 


59 


east by land of Christopher Grant and on the northwest by land 
of George Parkhurst, and on the west by land of Richard Holden. 1 

The homestall was on the corner of what is now Grove Street in 
Belmont and with the other lands was sold to Rev. John Sherman 
in 1673. 

In 1653, on the first day of the first month, Justinian Holden 
purchased for £210 the large farm of Deacon Nathaniel Sparhawk, 
from the latter’s estate, consisting of 294 acres, with dwelling house 
and buildings lying north of Fresh Pond, now within the limits of 
Belmont, at that time a part of Cambridge and then leased to James 
Kidder until March, 1657. In 1660 he was described as of Cambridge, 
and in 1662 was “to sitt in ye foremost seats” in the Meeting House. 
In the late winter of 1664-5, the town of Cambridge granted lots 
carrying a right in the cow commons, and Holden, having Lot 128, 
ten acres, was entitled to two cow commons. In 1684 he received 
a dividend of fifteen acres out of the common lands beyond the 
eight-mile limit, between that line and Concord line. 

As noted in a former chapter, while a resident of Watertown he 
twice filled the important office of constable, which carried with it 
the duties of collecting rates and making disbursements therefrom 
on town account, and after becoming a resident of Cambridge was 
twice surveyor. 

Justinian Holden was probably one of the constables for Watertown 
in 1652 or 1653, 2 and in 1654 the town owed him £1-1-0 for killing 
a wolf and a fox. 

In February and March, 1664-5, the town of Cambridge granted 
lots which should carry an interest in the cow commons, at the 
same time voting that no more proprietors should be admitted. 
Justinian Holden had lot 128, ten acres, entitling him to two cow 
commons. Twenty years later, 24 Mar., 1684, in a division of the 
lots beyond the eight-mile line, between that and Concord line, he 
received fifteen acres in the third and fourth “squardrant.” 3 

He was elected surveyor in November, 1672, and again in 1673. 

In June, 1681, the County Court granted the following petition, 
which is in the files of the Court: 

“To the Honored Court now sitting at Charles Town this 25th of 
June 1681 the petition of Justinian Holden of Cambridge humbly 
sheweth that whereas your Pet r is disabled by the Providence of 
God from attending the Countrey service in military exercises by 
reason of great deaftness, & Giddiness in his head besides other 
infirmityes of old age, he being now about 70 years of age; he doth 
humbly crave of this Honored Court that they would please fully 
to free him from the said exercises, & yr Pet r shall humbly Pray &c.” 

^These three acres and the fr'e acres were adjacent to the “now dwelling house of Justinian Holden in 
Watertown.” See deed to Sherman, 1673 (Middlesex Deeds, 5:12). 

sTown records, p. S3. *Proprietors’ records. 


60 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


There are many conveyances of land by and to Justinian Holden. 

Abstract of Will of Justinian Holden 

To dear and loving wife and eldest son Samuel Holden, farm 
house, barn, orchard and all lands adjoining bounded south with 
the Great Pond, west with “Woods his ditch” into the Little Pond, 
east by a brook, and north by a ditch, in joint tenancy during the 
life of the wife, then to son Samuel. 

To son John Holden the house and lands bought of Thorp, and 
all lands in a straight line to the Sandy Hill and so along the highway 
leading to the farm house, and so down to the pond, not going over 
Wood’s ditch, allowing his brethren free ingress, etc., to mill and 
market. 

To son Isaac Holden twenty acres, bounded by land given by 
me to my son Isaac, to a ditch called “Woods his ditch,” east to 
Sandy Hill, and so upon a line to Monottomv. 

To his three sons John, Isaac and Joseph Holden, a parcell of 
meadow beyond the first ditch next the farm, bounded north by 
meadow of John Stratton, south by Reuben Luxford, and east by 
the brook. 

To his four sons, Samuel, John, Isaac, and Joseph Holden, to be 
divided between them, all his pasture and three wood lots called 
Shepard's Swamp. 

Son Isaac Holden to have twenty acres. The executors are to set 
an orchard of two acres in the Rye field, and care for it until Joseph 
is of age, when it is to be his. 

To his three daughters, Mary, Grace, and Elizabeth Holden his 
moveable estate and twenty acres meadow between the farm ditch 
and Luxford’s ditch. 

Wife Alary to have the use of the whole estate until the youngest 
child is twelve years of age in consideration of bringing up the young 
children. 

Lands given to “my sons I give to them and to their heirs lawfully 
begotten,” or if any of them should die without lawful issue, then 
the lands “shall go to the surviving sons equally.” 

Wife Alary and son Samuel executors, friends Isaac Amsden of 
Alarlboro, and William Shattock of Watertown to be overseers. 

The mark of Justinian Holden. 


Witnessed by John Rutter, Lydia Barron. (With a seal of which 

Jonathan Remington. by 6 1hTsihc'^uself uT nf 

Dated, 12 Aug., 1691: proved 6 Oct., 1691. pair the document.) 

An inventory was taken 30 Sept., 1691, by Jacob Amsden and 
Elless Barron, disclosing personal estate to the value of £80 including 
his “books,” valued at 15 shillings, and his “armer” valued at 
£1-16-0, and two dwelling houses, two orchards, and land and 


FIRST GENERATION IN AMERICA 


61 


meadow, including three acres, called Shepard’s swamp in “Cam¬ 
bridge Woods," to the value of £1073. An additional inventory of 
£45-09 was filed 6 Sept., 1692. 

On the 12 Aug., 1699, an agreement was drawn up, but which 
was not signed by Isaac, stating that Samuel, John, Isaac, and Samuel 
as guardian for Joseph, agree that as no provision has been made 
by their father for their mother, after the bringing up of the minor 
children, that each is to cut and house hay for one cow, supply two 
loads of wood, and that she is to live on the land she now lives upon. 
They further agree to pay £6-13-4 to their sisters Mary, Grace and 
Elizabeth, to each when eighteen or married. 

Although probably not so intended the terms of the will created 
an entail on the principal messuage of 140 acres, and it was found 
necessary in 1712 for his heirs to petition the General Court to 
break the entail which resulted from that clause in his will which 
provided that the lands he had given to his sons should pass to 
their own lawful issue, or in case of their decease without issue, 
to pass to the surviving sons equally. The division of the estate 
had been so irregular that the sons, Samuel, John, Isaac, and Joseph, 
set forth in their petitions that the “said lands are very mean and 
poore and by the Devise of their Father aforesaid Parcelled out 
into Nineteen Several Peices or Alotments So intermixed One among 
another that the making & fencing Out Necessary ways across the 
Divisions will be Such an intolerable Charge that all the Timber 
and Stone that can be procured or gotten on the premises is not 
Sufficient to Fence the same one time; and the Living is Cut out 
in so many parcells as Renders it uncapable of Improvement in any 
Measure for the support of their Familys who are greatly Multiplyed 
with a Numerous Posterity Since the Testators decease And must 
necessarily Quit the Estate to provide for themselves and Familys 
Elsewhere Unless they can be Allowed to pass away their Right 
and Interest to and among One another So as to make a Comfortable 
laving for one or more of them and will probably fall into the hands 
of Strangers and the Minde and Intent of the Testator be thereby 
Defeated by the Estate passing out of his Name and Family.’’ For 
the prevention of which the Court passed an Act permitting the peti¬ 
tioners to convey their respective parts to one another, to be holden 
of such purchasers respectively, their heirs and assigns forever. 1 

An adjustment was effected between the sons, and soon parts of 
the estate were by their own deed transferred to a stranger. 

Nevertheless it became necessary to again petition the legislature, 
and this was done 16 Nov., 1728, by Benjamin Clark of Cambridge, 
and his wife Lydia, and John Shattuck and others. Their petition 
was received 18 Dec., 172S, and allowed the 3 Sept., 1729. 2 


‘Acts, 30 Oct., 1712. 


J Middlesex Deeds, 29:533. 


SECOND GENERATION 


12 Justinian {Richard), born 1644, at Watertown or Cam¬ 
bridge; aged “thirty two or thereabouts” 19 Dec., 1676; 1 died 
intestate, probably in 1699 (living 14 Dec., 1696, but not living 
17 March, 1700) ;* married Mary, who died 15 May, 1691, at 
Woburn. 3 

He married, second, 6 Dec., 1693, 4 Susannah (Dutton) Durrant, 
born 27 Feb., 1653-4, at Woburn, living in Dec., 1723, at Cambridge, 
daughter of Thomas and Susannah Dutton of Billerica, and widow 
of John Durrant of that place, whom she married 16 Nov., 1670, and 
who died in prison at Cambridge, 27 Oct., 1692, during the witch¬ 
craft excitement. By her first marriage Mrs. Holden had four chil¬ 
dren, John Durrant, Thomas Durrant, Abigail Durrant and Mehit- 
able Durrant. The last named married, 16 Dec., 1708, Thomas 
Skinner, w r ho lived in Malden and at one time and another rented 
Ten Hills Farm. In Sept., 1721, the “Widow Holden” living in a 
house of her “son in law Skinner” was warned by the Charlestown 
selectmen. She was previously warned in Nov., 1720, having come 
from Malden, and again Dec., 1723, then living with her son-in-law 
at Phipps’ Farm (now East Cambridge). Billerica selectmen 
authorized the payment to the wddow Marshall and Samuel Trull 
in Nov., 1702, for keeping the widows Holden. 5 

Children: 

1 Marah, born 20 May, 1680, at Groton, 3 “of Justinian and Marah”; 
died prior to 1724, probably at Charlestown; married 9 Feb., 
1702-3, at Charlestown, Jonathan Foskett, baptized 1 Nov., 1674, 
at Charlestown, died prior to 1756, probably at Medford, son of 
John and Elizabeth (Leach) Foskett. 6 

Children: 6 

1. Jonathan Foskett, born 12 Nov., 1703. 

2. John Foskett, born 1 March, 1705-6. 

3. Mary Foskett, born 2 June, 1709; married (intention 16 Oct., 

1733) James Russell, Jr., of Lexington. 

4. Rachel Foskett 7 married, 1734, John Carter. 7 


Middlesex records. 2 Middlesex Deeds, 12:368; and Probate under James Holden. 

•Town records. 4 R. W. Holden Ms .; no place or authority given. 5 Archives, 45:329. 
•Wyman: Charlestown Estates. 7 W. F. Bucknam papers. Was there also a son Ebenezer? 

62 


SECOND GENERATION 63 

2-2 James, born 1685 (aged 15, March, 1700); died 1766; married Hannah 
Adams. 

3 Daniel, born 11 July, 1688, at Groton, 1 “by wife Mary”; died young. 
4-4 Ebenezer, born 11 May, 1690, at Woburn; 1 died 1756; married 
Elizabeth Reed. 

By second marriage: 

5 Susannah , 2 born 16 Oct., 1694, at Billerica. 1 According to the Richard¬ 
son Memorial, she married Timothy Richardson 2 born 24 Jan., 
1687-8, at Woburn, son of Stephen and Abigail (Wyman) Richard¬ 
son of Malden, and removed to Attleboro about 1714, and had 
the following children: 

1. Timothy Richardson, born 18 Oct., 1715; married 22 March, 

1738, Alice Wyman. 

2. Abiel Richardson, born 12 Oct., 1717. 

Justinian Holden had a seven-acre proprietor’s right in Groton. 
This was granted him prior to March, 1678-9, but as is the case with 
his father’s original grant or purchase, there is no contemporary 
record when he obtained it. As early as Feb., 1672-3, the town 
ordered that the cattle of Richard and Justinian Holden should be 
in the third herd. In Dec., 1673, he and his father were of the “Town 
Committee,” evidently concerning lands, and in March, 1674-5, he 
was one to set part of the town bounds. 1 It is possible that he had 
already married, at this time, but if so there is no trace of wife or 
children. 

The Sergeant Holden of Woburn mentioned in Stoake’s letter of 
Feb., 1675-6 (see under John Holden), was undoubtedly Justinian, 
which points to his having entered the army prior to the attack 
upon Groton in March, 1676, when his father’s family were driven 
away and sought refuge in Watertown. 

He was one of Captain Daniel Henchman’s command which 
gathered at Concord, May, 1676, and proceeded to Hadley, where 
they arrived June 14, meeting the Indians in battle at Washakom 
Ponds en route, and joined the Connecticut forces in a brief cam¬ 
paign on the Connecticut River. The company left Hadley before 
June 30 to march towards Boston. Justinian Holden and the majority 
of the company are listed under date of 24 Aug., 1676. 3 He was one 
of the troopers of Captain Thomas Brattle who went on the expedi¬ 
tion to seize Philip in July, 1676. On 23 Sept., 1676, Captain Joseph 
Sill obtains credit for his men, among whom was Holden. Sill had 
been with Henchman, but early in September had been given com¬ 
mand of a company which marched to the eastward. On 6 September 
he was at Dover, where the Indians had gathered at Major Waldron’s, 
and where Hathorne and Sill insisted upon making prisoners all 
formerly hostile. This affair was later the cause of Major Waldron’s 

‘Town records. 2 F. H. Holden Ms . »Bodge: Soldiers in King Philip's War , pp. 58, 264, 271, 373. 


64 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


frightful death at the hands of Indians. He had opposed the orders 
of Sill. After scouting to vicinity of Falmouth, Sill’s command 
returned to Piscataqua early in October. 

This service of Holden was done to the credit of Cambridge. 
During the period following the close of the Indian War, and his 
reappearance in Groton in 1680, it has been assumed that he mar¬ 
ried. From a conveyance made by Ebenezer Holden as “heir of 
Samuel Freeman of Watertown,” it may be that his wife’s father 
or grandfather was Samuel Freeman. The birth of his eldest child 
is recorded at Groton in May, 1680, and in November he purchased 
20 acres there. He was chosen fence-viewer in Dec., 1682, and con¬ 
stable in Dec., 1683, one of the surveyors in 1687 and 1688. 

His residence in Groton in 1688 is shown by a deed dated 6 Feb., 
1688, conveying to Benjamin Farnsworth fourteen acres near unto 
the now dwelling house of the said Justinian Holden, on easterly 
side of the highway leading to Pine Meadow. This deed was not 
acknowledged until 15 July, 1696, nor recorded until 2 June, 1736. 1 
He lived on or near James Brook, just north of the present Ayer 
boundary, and about half a mile south of his brother Stephen. 

In 1690 he was taxed in Woburn for one person and estate, two 
shillings, eight pence. After the death of his wife he removed to 
Billerica. The following entry appears upon Billerica records, 
30 March, 1695: 

“Justinian Holden seized by John Baldin and Isack Sterns for 
Country and town dus and detained that night at Mr. Farmer’s 
house. The selectmen met about it to have compounded and per¬ 
suaded him but to small purpose. The next day as he was going 
down to jaile he then informed ye constables of cattell he had at his 
place in Oborne which when they had secured his person was freed. 
And one cow was seized yt was sould for £3 the constable gave in ye 
bills what was due in rates to ye county and towne with their charge 
in seizing his person amounting unto £3 10 sh. 

“ The cow drepted at £3 and ye money engaged to be speedily paid 
and was, y° was the bell about the cows neck valued by Holdin at 
5 sh. at ye same time he paid the constable 3 sh. and 6d. Therefore 
that the other beast which was seized should not be sold at ye same 
time I gave John Baldin a receipt as town treasurer of 10 sh. in 
money that I releive.” 

Doctor Hazen thinks this trouble with the Billerica authorities 
may have been the cause of his leaving that town. He was of Cam¬ 
bridge, 14 Dec., 1696, when he gave power of attorney to his wife 
Susannah and son Thomas Durren, 2 both of Cambridge, to enter 
upon and take possession of his lands at Woburn and to sell the 

'Middlesex Deeds, 37:546. 


2 Middlesex Deeds, 12:308. 


SECOND GENERATION 


65 


same. This was witnessed by John Watson, John Durran, 1 Abraham 
Watson, and Jacob Amsden, and recorded 7-15-1699. 2 In this 
instrument Justinian is described as a carpenter. The date of record 
of this power of attorney is very likely that of the year of his death. 

16 Samuel {Richard), born 1650-1; died 1739, aged 89; buried 
in the Old Aard, at Stoneham; married Anna. 2 Her gravestone 
at Stoneham had the following inscription: “Here lyes ye Body of 
Anna Holdin wife of Samuel Holdin, who Died June ye 18 th 1731 
Aged 72 years. 3 She was dismissed from Reading church 4 Jan., 
1729-30, and received into Stoneham church 11 Jan., 1729-30. 
Children: 

1 Anna, born 1 March, 1682, at Groton; 1 married 17 April, 1717, at 

Woburn, 4 Ephraim Leatherbee (Larrabee), born 1698, at North 
Aarmouth, Me., 6 living 25 Sept., 1775, when the town of Stoneham 
voted £8 for his keeping, son of Stephen and Mable Larrabee. 6 He 
was warned by Woburn, 1749. He lived in Stoneham, on the old 
road from Malden to Reading, and perhaps kept the White Face 
Tavern. 6 This location is now in Melrose. 

Children: 6 

1. Rebecca Leatherbee, baptized 25 May, 1718, at Reading; mar¬ 

ried John Connelly. 6 

2. Ephraim Leatherbee, baptized 24 Apil, 1720, at Reading. He 

was a rope-maker. 

3. Thomas Leatherbee, born 4 Sept., 1722; died 15 Aug., 1792, 6 at 

Woburn; married 24 Aug., 1745, Anna Winship; (2) 8 Nov., 
1748, Abial Stratton, born 28 Jan., 1729; died 12 March, 
1808, at Burlington, daughter of Nathaniel and Esther 
(Parker) Stratton. 6 He served in the French War, 1757-8; 
settled in Woburn; was a rope-maker. 

4. John Leatherbee, married Priscilla. 

5. Anna Leatherbee. 

2 Samuel, died 28 July, 1688, at Groton. 4 

3- 3 Joseph, born not later than 1695; died about 1746; married Naomi 

Howe. 

4- 4 Samuel, born 28 July, 1699; 6 died 12 Oct., 1761; married Elizabeth 

Dix. 

5 Abigail; 7 died in lifetime of her husband; married 22 Dec., 1714, 4 at 

J Durren is another form of Durrant. 

2 The late Wilbur F. Bucknam contributed a valuable series of articles on Stoneham families to the 
Stoneham Independent, and devoted the issues of April 12 and May 10, 1902, to the Holden family. He 
erred in statement that Samuel Holden married Anna, daughter of Deacon Nathaniel Lawrence of Groton. 
Deacon Lawrence’s daughter Hannah is called in his will Hannah Holden — she had married Stephen 
Holden. Mr. Bucknam also recalled the fact that the Holden place was on what is now Marble Street, 
and the old cellar could be seen until recently, being nearly opposite the junction of Hill Street, near the 
pair of bars in the wall on the south side of the street. 

*What purports to be a copy of Asa Holden’s journal, perhaps taken from “Eben Holden’s book, 
April 9, 1796,” states that ‘‘Great grandmother Anna Holden died June 18, 1731, aged 78. She died of 
pleurisy fever and I found her gravestone in the old burying ground at Stoneham, near the edge of the 
cemetery which has the bank wall of stone, and next to Anthony Hadley and near one of the David Goulds.” 
<Town records. 6 W. F. Bucknam papers. 6 Bullock Ms. 

7 The Abial Holden Ms., calls Abigail “eldest daughter,” and Mercy (Mary) “youngest daughter.” 
The marriages are given. 


66 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Reading, Anthony Hadley, said by unauthenticated tradition to 
have been born 1694 in Scotland and a deserter from the English 
army in 1714. 1 His will, dated 1769, names his four sons. 

Children, born at Stoneham (Charlestown End): 

1. John Hadley, born 13 Feb., 1715-6; married Sarah Williams . 1 

2. Samuel Hadley, baptized 3 Aug., 1718, at South Reading; mar¬ 

ried Abigail Richardson . 1 

3. Anthony Hadley, born 19 Feb., 1722-3; married 15 Nov., 1744, 

at Stoneham, Abigail Green. He was a tailor in Stoneham. 

4. Thomas Hadley, baptized 3 July, 1726, at South Reading; mar¬ 

ried April, 1752, Mary Cox. He was in the French War, 
1756. 1 

6 Mary (Mercy 2 ); married prior to 1722, Thomas Johnson of Charles¬ 
town, mariner, who had gift of land from her father, 13 July, 
1722; 3 died prior to 1741. 1 She married, (2) 4 March, 1744-5, 
at Stoneham, 4 John Souther. 

Child: 

1. Thomas Johnson, “of Mary,” baptized 26 May, 1723, at Read¬ 
ing; married 25 Oct., 1744, Sarah Griffin . 1 


The summer of 1678 found Groton again inhabited. Among those 
who returned prior to 1680 were Justinian, Samuel, and Stephen 
Holden. On the 29 March, 1679, Richard Holden, then of Water- 
town, in consideration of 40 shillings in hand and bills for the bal¬ 
ance, conveyed to his son Samuel, who is also called of Watertown 
in the deed, 30 acres at Way Pond in Groton through which the 
highway passed, and surrounded by the town commons: also 3 acres 
at Indian Hill between Samuel Wood and Joseph Parker. 5 

Samuel Holden w r as also granted by the town at a general towm 
meeting held 8 June, 1680, a small slip of land, containing about 
40 or 50 poles, bordering on the highway. 6 In the minister’s rate of 
30 Dec., 1681, he was assessed 5 shillings, Stephen Holden, 11 sh. 2 d., 
and Justinian Holden 9 sh. 1 d. The total rate was £55-1-6, and 
was paid by 78 persons. On the 31 Jan., 1683-4, there is a record 
that £1-5-0 had been paid Samuel Holden on account of Peleg 
Law r rence for work done in finishing the meeting house. 6 

There is a record at Groton of the death there of Samuel son of 
Samuel Holden, 28 July, 1688. Samuel Holden w r as taxed 30 Sept., 

1689, in Woburn. The next mention we find of him is in a deed of 
date of 2 Jan., 1689-90, when he buys the Allen lot in what is now 
Stoneham, and is called of Woburn, but Woburn records do not 
mention him later, except as being taxed for his estate in August, 

1690. Undoubtedly he had removed from Groton the preceding 

X W. F. Bucknam papers. 

2 The Abial Holden Ms., calls Abigail “eldest daughter,” and Mercy (Mary) “youngest daughter.” 
The marriages are given. 

*Middlesex Deeds, 23:227. 4 Town records. 6 Middlesex Deeds, 7:72. 6 Green: Groton Records, pp. 58, 85. 


SECOND GENERATION 


67 


year, perhaps taking advantage of the snow to sled his household 
belongings, and was Jiving at his brother John’s within Woburn 
bounds until his own farm was cleared and house ready for occu¬ 
pancy. 

At the time of his purchase of the Allen lot that entire section 
which is now Stoneham was practically a wilderness, embraced in 
the limits of Charlestown, known as Charlestown End. The ancient 
way from Woburn to Charlestown, and a way to Reading and 
Saugus, ran just north of the Allen lot. In 1658 all except the northern 
third of Stoneham was divided into ranges extending south to the 
then northern limit of the Medford farm of Governor Cradock. xAnd 
these ranges, fifteen in number, divided into lots, were allotted as a 
first and second division among Charlestown proprietors. North of 
this division the land remained Charlestown commons. Except for 
the few clearings in the north part of the town and in that section 
afterward annexed to Wakefield, the whole of this territory w T as held 
by the Charlestown proprietors, or their heirs and assigns, as wood 
lots. 1 

In 1688 a subscription was taken for the new meeting house in 
Reading, and the inhabitants of Charlestown End who attended 
services in Reading were called upon to subscribe toward this build¬ 
ing. The church records show that the subscribers were John Gould, 
Daniel Gould, Thomas Gerry, Matthew Smith, Sen., Matthew Smith, 
Jr., Michael Smith, Thomas Cutler, Samuel Cowdrey, xAndrew 
Phillips. These nine persons were evidently the heads of families, 
and with their families the sole inhabitants of Charlestown End. 
This settlement was about what is called Farm Hill, in the northern 
part of the town. An old way from Woburn to Reading ran through 
this section and afforded the settlers reasonable facilities for reaching 
either place, and the settlements in both towns early extended well 
to the Charlestown boundaries. Wakefield 2 and Woburn villages 
are about seven miles apart in an air line. 

South of this settlement around Farm Hill and including what is 
now practically the village of Stoneham, and the land to the south 
of it, was a plain called in very early times Doleful Plain, and the 
pond beyond it was called Doleful Pond. South of this is the country 
now embraced in the State reservation, Middlesex Fells, — a hilly 
country, traversed by ravines and watercourses, which for a long 
time supplied the older settlements with lumber. Here and there 
existed available farm sites which were gradually utilized, but the 
country as a whole was not fit for cultivation. This led to practical 
isolation of the inhabitants of Charlestown End from Charlestown 
proper. Their church affiliations were with Reading, and they were 

iAn exception was the Gould farm, close by Reading bounds and village, and now included in Wake¬ 
field. 

2 The original Reading settlement is now Wakefield. 


68 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


left to care for their own affairs very largely, — apparently with 
considerable success. 

The neighboring parts of Woburn — now the northeastern part 
of Winchester — and that section of Woburn now Montvale, was 
the home of the Richardsons, and after King Philip’s War this sec¬ 
tion of Middlesex County, comprising the northeastern part of 
Woburn, the southwestern part of Reading and the northwestern 
part of Stoneham, became settled largely w r ith families wdio did not 
care to again risk the dangers of frontier life. Such were the Law¬ 
rences and Holdens from Groton, and Batemans from Concord, w T ho 
formed the little settlement on both sides of the Woburn line, at 
about the junction of the present boundary of Stoneham, W oburn 
and Winchester. 

Adjoining the Fosdick lot in W 7 oburn, of 40 acres, left by will to 
Martha Holden’s children (which in 1679, after the flight from 
Groton, Richard and Martha Holden released to their children), 
w r as the Graves farm of 360 acres, w r hich w r as leased to Thomas 
Williams, John Holden’s brother-in-law. That same year John 
Holden received a deed from his brothers and sisters of the Fosdick 
lot. This was the nucleus of the Holden farm in W T oburn, and here 
John Holden probably settled in 1679. 

Stephen Holden, the younger brother, had gone with the first of 
the settlers who returned to Groton in 1678, while his father, Rich¬ 
ard, tarried one year in Cambridge, another in W 7 atertowm, and still 
another in WToburn before returning to Groton. 

The church records of W 7 oburn for the first century or more are 
lost, nor are those of Reading complete. In 1729, when the church 
at Stoneham w T as established, among those who w r ere dismissed from 
the church at Reading w r as Anna, the wife of Samuel Holden. This 
connection with the Reading church of a woman whose husband’s 
family was affiliated with the Woburn church, who himself w 7 as not a 
member of the Reading church, and who lived on the W r oburn 
boundary, suggests that Anna Holden may have been connected 
with these families who had settled in Charlestowm End. There is 
no record of the marriage of Anna and Samuel Holden in those 
places where it seems possible that they could have been married, 
nor is her name mentioned in the settlements of any of the estates 
of persons with wffiom a relationship might be supposed to exist. 
It would seem evident that they w 7 ere married in 1680 or 1681, dur¬ 
ing the period w 7 e suppose Samuel Holden to have been living with 
his brother John or with his father in W T oburn, Watertown, or Cam¬ 
bridge. Had she been a Groton woman the chances are that the 
family would have remained in Groton, for, although the people 
of that frontier town lived in constant apprehension of Indian 
marauders, they w 7 ere not molested after the destruction of the 


SECOND GENERATION 


60 


town in 1676, until 1694, a period of nearly twenty years, and five 
years after Samuel Holden had left Groton. There is preserved in 
the family a tradition that Samuel Holden had himself suffered 
from an Indian raid. This tradition is printed by Mr. Stevens, 
taken from a written account which he describes as “an ancient 
paper. ” 

At the time that this event is supposed to have taken place, as 
related in this narrative, Samuel Holden was doubtless an unmar¬ 
ried man. While such an experience as is here narrated is quite 
what may have happened to any family settled on the frontier, it 
can hardly correctly describe an event in the life of Samuel Holden. 
The story may and probably does relate the experience of some 
Groton family, perhaps of a near relative of Samuel or of his wife. 

Richard Holden was in Groton at the time of the Indian attack 
in 1676, but his children had passed the age when the mother could 
take them in arms, nor had he at that time any grandchildren. 
Possibly it tells of the experience of the family of Richard Holden, 
whose son Samuel may have taken post behind the door, armed to 
protect the flight of the mother, and perhaps sisters, and his infirm 
father. It is rarely tradition escapes embellishment, and the “children 
in arms” may, in this case, be the creation of the imagination of a 
descendant. The written account which follows is probably to be 
credited to Luther or Abiel Holden: 

“Samuel Holden, second son to Richard Holden, lived in Groton 
until the Indian War (which probably was the war with Philip, but 
whether it was or not, I shall not determine) the war with Philip, 
I think, was about the year 1675, at which time Mrs. R. [i. e. Mrs. 
Rowlinson, who was taken captive in Feb., 1676,] was taken captive. 

“ The town in the night was beset with Indians; the Indians came 
to this house in the night and broke it open and came in. His wife 
made her escape out of a door with two small children in her arms 
and went into a corn-field. Mr. Holden stood behind a door with a 
gun in his hand, intending to kill some of them, but it being so dark 
he could not see them. He also made his escape out of the house 
and went to a garrison house. The Indians, after plundering the 
house, went off. Soon after this Samuel Holden moved to Stoneham 
(then Charlestown) for fear of the Indians.” 

Samuel Holding, now resident in Woburn, formerly of Groton, 
husbandman, from Sarah Allen of Charlestown, widow and executrix 
of will of John Allen, mariner, of Charlestown, in consideration of 
£22, 45 acres in Charlestown, on the Rocks near Woburn, being 
my proportion of the 2d division bounding on Eleazer Bateman and 
David Fox. Son Thomas Allen joins. Dated 2 Jan., 1689. Acknowl¬ 
edged by Thomas Allen 13 Aug., 1692. 1 

Middlesex Deeds, 11:17. 


70 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


He gave back a mortgage the same day to secure his payments, 
as follows; £8 in money and £7 in pork and corn in 1691, £7 in kind 
in 1692; or £18 if paid in money before Michaelmas to be a full dis¬ 
charge. Discharged 13 Aug., 1692. 

The Allen lot, although described in the deed to Samuel Holden 
as 45 acres, was actually one half of 95 acres. At the time of Holden’s 
purchase his nearest neighbor was Eleazer Bateman, who had bought 
a second division lot of Nowell in 1685, on which was a frame of 
house 18 x 22 and a cellar. Bateman was a carpenter, and may have 
assisted in the erection of Samuel Holden’s house. In 1691 he pur¬ 
chased the southern half (27 acres) of the Allen lot from Samuel 
Holden. Dade’s lot adjoining was purchased by Bateman in 1699, 
and with two adjoining lots was sold by him in 1713 to Joseph 
Underwood, who also bought the Nowell lot of Bateman, and became 
Samuel Holden’s neighbor on the north and east. His land in part 
was bounded east by Joseph Holden, who had come into possession 
of a part of Thomas Shippey’s lot. In 1723, Underwood sold 64 acres 
to Joseph Arnold, who at once proceeded to divide his purchase with 
Peter Hay, Jr., and John Hay, one of the lots so conveyed being 
described as the “lime kiln lot.’’ 1 

Deacon Lawrence, who perhaps followed Samuel Holden to 
Stoneham, purchased of Joseph Lynde in 1695 three lots to the 
northeast of Samuel Holden’s land. 

Dean, 2 the earliest historian of Stoneham, whose little book was 
published in 1840, and Judge Stevens, a later historian, — and also 
Air. Bucknam, who has written upon the genealogies of the families 
of the town, — have all mentioned the Holdens, whose farms formed 
this corner of Stoneham next Woburn and Winchester. Although 
there can be no doubt that Samuel Holden both granted and received 
some land not of record, it is extremely doubtful if his holdings at 
any time exceeded 100 acres. The family was not, as some writers 
have inferred, in possession of a large part of that portion of Stone¬ 
ham. A similar mistake has been made with regard to the Vinton 
family, neighbors of the Holdens, — ascribing to them landed 
possessions very much in excess of what they actually possessed. 
There was considerable trading of the wood lots, and this in some 
cases brought about an imposing array of deeds. Samuel Holden’s 
original farm, at the extreme western corner, reached to the present 
Alarble Street. 

When the range lines were laid out they were set at 80 rods’ dis¬ 
tance. Holden’s original purchase was one lot in this range, embracing 
45 acres. Its east and west lines must have been 80 poles in extent. 

x The quarries in Stoneham, mentioned in the Holden and other deeds, were very early the sources 
whence limestone was obtained for smelting the iron ores at Hammersmith (Saugus), which were not, as 
many have supposed, dependent upon shells or limestone brought from a great distance 

2 Died October, 1906. 


SECOND GENERATION 


71 


This meant that his north and south lines were about 1,500 feet. This 
would bring the eastern line of Holden’s lot about where the present 
eastern line of the Dike farm now (1905) runs; that is, a little west 
of the old road which passes through the Dike farm to the east of 
Dike s brook and enters Marble Street about opposite the Sweetser 
house, about 300 feet east of the Park entrance opposite Park Street. 

Marble Street follows very closely the line of the ancient road, 
but some changes have been made, as is nearly always the case with 
old roads in present use. The range lines run a course a little east 
and west of southeast and northwest, whereas Marble Street runs 
a general course to the northeast. 

Immediately to the north of Holden’s was the farm of Eleazer 
Bateman, who later (1691) bought the southern half of Holden’s 
lot. Bateman thus became the abuttor on the Holden farm, both 
to the north and south. This with the fact that some of the other 
adjoining lots are somewhat loosely described in the few deeds which 
we have, makes it difficult to point out the exact extent of the 
Holden farm as it existed during the three or four generations in 
which it remained in the family name. The greater part of it today 
is still in the hands of the Dike family, who are descendants of 
Samuel Holden; but it did not come to them intact. It had been 
divided and sold and bought at different times in different sized 
parcels, until it gradually came back, with additions, into the hands 
of Jesse Dike and his son Lyman. The latter before his death 
remarked, as he passed the crotch of the road on Marble Street, 
pointing to a little shop that then stood there, “There is where 
I have made many a pair of shoes.” It was a single-room shop. 
Such buildings are very common in the Essex and Middlesex towns, 
where the farmers before the advent of the big shoeshops carried on 
the business of sewing and making the boot, — the uppers having 
been supplied to them by the manufacturer. It is, of course, not 
known when that little shop was built, or by whom, but as Lyman 
Dike was born in 1821, it would not be extraordinary if that shop 
was the actual building mentioned in the deeds of John Holden, or 
of John and Daniel Holden, about 1784; and perhaps the shop which 
they used in their business as tailors. It would seem that John 
Holden, the tailor, lived north of Marble Street, and not on the 
original Holden farm. His land extended into Woburn bounds. 
The greater part of it was purchased of Joseph Knight, although his 
house was near to land which he had of John Bucknam, and near 
to land which he had inherited from his father, Samuel. His land 
was, however, all in one piece. 

The present road leading to East Woburn and Montvale encloses 
between itself, Marble Street and the Woburn boundary, a triangle, 
but which certainly would not, within Stoneham limits, amount to 


72 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


45 acres. Within ten years a strip of territory has been added to 
Stoneham from Woburn, and new bound-stones have been placed, 
but the old bound-stone may still be seen on the southern side of 
the road to East Woburn. To the west and south of this bound-stone 
is an old orchard. A deep ravine runs through here, and at some 
time a dam w r as in existence, —the end of which may be seen 
north of Marble Street, which at this point has been considerably 
straightened and leveled. In this neighborhood Mr. Bucknam 
thinks the Hadleys engaged in tanning. Immediately to the south¬ 
west of this old dam and across the street is the present Dike farm¬ 
house, formerly the house of William Holden. It is the last house 
on the road toward Woburn; in fact, sighting from the boundary 
stone in the general direction the line is supposed to run, the house 
would certainly seem to be within old Woburn and present Win¬ 
chester limits. It is, however, within the bounds of Stoneham. 

Mrs. Symes, who was born a Sweetser, a lady probably of 70 years 
in 1905, related that as a girl she was always running about these 
fields and farms, hunting for abandoned cellar holes, geological 
specimens, old wells, etc. She said that the Dike farmhouse retains 
at one end a part of the William Holden house, and that this house 
had a gambrel roof, and was not unlike the so-called Hadley house 
on Main Street. It had no leanto. Within recent years it has been 
raised and an additional story put beneath it. It has also been cut 
in halves and the roof changed in part, so that it is possible only from 
the end to see how the original house may have looked. It does not 
seem possible that Captain John Holden could have occupied this 
house, as we know from his land transactions how his house was 
situated with regard to his purchase from the Knights. In the tri¬ 
angle above mentioned, between the East Woburn road and Marble 
Street, there is an old cellar hole, and formerly, within the remembrance 
of Mrs. Symes, there was a well. This may have marked the site of 
John Holden’s home. Between this spot and Park Street, on the 
east, there were other cellar holes, and according to the recollection 
of Mrs. Symes, two of these were occupied by Hadley houses; and 
this agrees with the testimony of the deeds. Assuming that the 
range lines ran parallel to the present base line of Stoneham, the 
northern boundary of Samuel Holden’s farm would have begun on 
Marble Street at the W r oburn line, or a little south of Marble Street, 
and at each foot gradually drew away from the highway. By the 
time the westernmost or oldest quarry is reached, there might be some 
doubt as to whether the line was north or south of the quarry hole. 
It is very doubtful if the two or three other quarries to the east of 
this one were on Samuel Holden’s land, although they are at the 
present time on the Dike property. 

There is a piece of meadow called Spring meadow in the southern 


SECOND GENERATION 


73 


portion of the Dike farm,— possibly the reservation boundary line 
passes through it. It is at the northern base of the hill north of the 
Winchester reservoir, east of what is called Money Hill. Directly 
east of this meadow, east of Dike’s brook, is the northern limit of 
Bear Hill, which in Samuel Holden’s deed from Allen, was called 
“The Rocks. ” This piece of land along Dike’s brook — the Woburn 
line formed its western boundary — is today under a high state of 
cultivation. Although not an extensive tract of land it is certainly 
amply sufficient to support a family. The southern limit of the 
Holden farm, however, was considerably farther south than Spring 
meadow. The old stone walls running in an easterly direction prob¬ 
ably indicate the range lines, but unfortunately the improvements 
made in this part of the Fells by the forming of the north reservoir 
have obliterated many of the landmarks. 

Mrs. Symes says that there were formerly evidences of habitations 
and of cultivated fields in this portion of the reservation, although 
the lines of the old road running south did not closely follow the 
line of the present road. There is an old road, partly used as a farm 
road on the Dike farm, running east and west from Marble Street in 
Winchester to Main Street in Stoneham. This road is practically, 
if not actually, the road which gave access to Samuel Holden’s farm. 
It may never have been anything more than a farm road, but from 
Main Street over to Spring meadow there are the remains of the 
two or three cellar holes mentioned by Stevens and Bucknam. These 
cellar holes are the sites of the residences of some of the neighbors of 
the Holdens, including the Howes, and probably the residence of 
Joseph Holden, son of Samuel, who had land to the east of his 
father’s homestead, the northern part of which he purchased of his 
father. 

Stoneham was incorporated as a town 17 Dec., 1725. The follow¬ 
ing year Samuel Holden, Sr., was taxed 6 sh. on real estate, 3 pence 
on personal estate and £1-7-0 on the country rate. 1 

Samuel Holden disposed of his estate during his lifetime. In his 
old age he lived with his son Joseph, to whom he had conveyed his 
homestead. Two deeds are of interest: 

Samuel Holdin of Charlestown for love and affection to son in law 
Thomas Johnson of Charlestown, mariner, — 1 acre with fruit trees 
thereon, at Charlestown End, at corner of the farm in possession of 
Joseph Holden, adjoining Dade’s lot so called. 13 July 1722. No 
wife appears. 2 

Another deed recites that Samuel Holding, Sr., of Charlestowm, 
husbandman, for £150, paid me by my son Joseph Holding of Charles¬ 
town, husbandman, grants a tract of land with one house and barn, 
orchard, meadow, plowland, woodland, fencing, mines and minerals, 

1 Stoneham town records. 2 Middlesex Deeds, 23:227. 


74 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


in Charlestown, in all 21 acres, bounded north on Stephen Parker; 
the northwest corner a heap of stones on Woburn line, easterly upon 
land I have given my daughter Mary Johnson, then by land of Mr. 
Peter Hayes, then upon land of Samuel Holding, Jr., and so to land 
of Peter Llayes, Jr., then upon land of John Richardson, Jr., to a 
stake which is the southwest corner, westerly on Woburn line. 
18 June, 1725. Wife Anna releases dower. 1 

18 Ensign John (Richard), born in 1656 or 1657, aged 22 in 
1679; died in Woburn, where his death was entered, “Ensign John 
Holden died 18 Oct., 1756.” He was thrice married: “Abigail wife 
of John Holden died 22 May, 1685.” 2 Nothing further is known of this 
wife, who did not leave issue. He married, second, 19 June, 1690, at 
Woburn, 2 Sarah Pierce, who died 17 Nov., 1717. 2 

Nathaniel Pierce, “an orphan,” aged 15 years (son of Nathaniel Pierce, 
born 4 Dec., 1655, and Hannah Converse, died 23 March, 1679), born 2 Feb., 
1678-9, petitioned that his uncle John Holden of Woburn be appointed his 
guardian. His father, the elder Nathaniel, had married in 1680 Elizabeth, 
widow of both Thomas Whittemore and Hopestill Foster, and daughter of 
Thomas Pierce of Woburn. The younger Nathaniel Pierce was left £10 by 
the will of his grandfather, Allen Converse. Although so much of the record 
would point to Sarah Pierce, wife of John Holden, as a sister of the elder 
Nathaniel and daughter of “old Robert” Pierce, who died 10 Sept., 1706, 
it does not appear that he had either a daughter Sarah or Abigail, 3 nor does 
it appear that Allen Converse had a daughter who could have married with 
John Holden. 

John Holden married, third, 1718, Abigail Morse, born 15 Dec., 
1679, at Groton, died 22 April, 1756, at Woburn, 2 daughter of 
Jonathan and Abigail (Shattuck) Morse, and widow of James 
Morse. 

John Holden of Woburn, yeoman, and Abigail his wife, John Parkhurst 
of Weston, and Abigail his wife, John Morse of Needham and Nathaniel 
Morse of Weston, and Joseph, Abigail and Zachariah Morse, children of 
Joseph Morse late of Watertown, sell to Joshua Warrin of Watertown a 
messuage there, being the mansion house, etc., of James Morse of Water- 
town, deceased. 13 March, 1718-9. 4 

Children, born at Woburn, 2 all but Sarah described as “of John 
and Sarah Holden”: 

1 Sarah, born 25 Feb., 1690-1; married Nathaniel Lawrence of 
Medford, died 6 Jan., 1736-7, at Woburn, son of Nathaniel Law¬ 
rence. Her husband’s brother Jonathan had administration on his 
estate at request of Elisha and Sarah Tottenham, John Holden, 
Sarah, widow of Nathaniel Lawrence, who was a son by a former 
wife, and Jonathan Lawrence. .Her petition in the probate files is 

Middlesex Deeds, 33:461. : Town records. 

3 Abigail Pierce, daughter of Thomas, married 18 Feb., 1684-5, George Reed. See Elizabeth Holden, 1-K 

‘Middlesex Deeds, 22:385. 


SECOND GENERATION 


75 


printed in Bond s Watertown, and in 1738 John Holden charged 
his son Thomas to pay £40 to Sarah. 1 She died without issue. 

2 Abigail, born 26 March, 1693; married (intention, 1713, at Reading) 

James Taylor of Reading. 

Children, born at Stoneham: 2 

1. John Taylor, born 15 Dec., 1713. 

2. Abigail Taylor, baptized 10 July, 1715. 

3. John Taylor, baptized 12 July, 1716. 

4. Ebenezer Taylor, baptized 10 March, 1723. 

5. Sarah Taylor, baptized 22 May, 1726. 

6. Elizabeth Taylor, baptized 23 June, 1728. 

3 Martha, born 28 May, 1695; died 27 Sept., 1697. 

4- 4 John, born 6 Feb., 1697-8; died 1756; married Mary Damon. 

5- 5 Thomas, born 3 June, 1700; died July, 1738; married Rebecca 

Wyman. 

6- 6 Jonathan, born 19 Jan., 1702-3; died 1778; married Joanna Wyman. 

7 Martha, born 1 Feb., 1705-6; died 4 Sept., 1706. 

8 Elizabeth, born 17 May, 1708. 


John Holden was about nineteen years of age at the time of the 
exodus from Groton. Three years later, 25 July, 1679, 3 his brothers 
and sisters, having received a quitclaim from their parents of their 
interest in the forty acres bequeathed them by their grandfather 
Stephen Fosdick, joined in conveying to him the entire tract of 
forty acres, bounded southeast with lands of Faintnot Wines, and 
elsewhere by the commons. 3 This land was near the Graves farm on 
which his sister, wife of Thomas Williams, lived, and also close to 
the Charlestown line and to the farm soon after purchased by his 
brother Samuel. Here he made his home, adding to his possessions 
from time to time, and followed the trade of a carpenter or house- 
wri ght. 

There is no mention on the Woburn records of John Holden until 
December, 1683, when both he and his father are rated in the town 
rate, he for one person and estate at two shillings and his father for 
one shilling, eight pence. He was admitted a freeman 9 July, 1684. 
He was chosen, 4-11 mo., 1685, one of two tythingmen for the follow¬ 
ing year. On the 23 Feb., 1685-6, the town granted him “an acre 
nere his house, paying a shilling in money to the towne.” 4 In the 
country rate of August, 1690, Samuel Holden was rated for his estate, 
John for his person and estate, and Justinian for his person and 
estate, 1 sh. 4 d., 2 sh. 6 d., 2 sh. 8 d., respectively. In 1693 John 
Holden paid one third of his town rate by work on the meeting house, 
and 4 Feb., 1694-5, was elected one of twelve tythingmen. In 
August, 1698, upon the occasion of the “tax for his Majestys service,” 

Middlesex Deeds, 39:342, and probate papers. Cf. with Bond’s Watertown, 822, and Wyman’s 
Charlestown, 607. 

'‘■Reading and Stoneham Vital Records. 3 MiddIesex Deeds, 7:154. 4 Town records, 3:91. 


76 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


he appears as “Sargent,” a title given him also the preceding year, 
and 1 March, 1699-1700, he was chosen constable. The title of 
ensign succeeds that of sergeant in 1706 in the town records. 
These military titles arose from his rank in the town train-band. 
His commission as ensign in the foot company commanded by 
Captain Josiah Converse, dated 21 Nov., 1706, is mentioned in 
Cutter’s list of Woburn soldiers as being extant. He probably was 
first chosen sergeant by the train-band in 1697. In 1676 there was a 
“Sergeant Holden of Woburn, ” who was probably Justinian, brother 
of John. In a letter dated 3 Feb., 1675-6, James Stoakes, writing 
from Rhode Island where he was with the army, and where he soon 
died, says, “pray Looke after my armes, seargent Holden of Woburne 
hath got them.” 1 

John Holden practically disposed of his entire estate in lands to 
his sons 2 before his seventieth year. Jonathan was given the middle 
section of the farm, John the dwelling house and adjacent lands, and 
Thomas the eastern end. In 1726 he bought another farm bounding 
on Stoneham. At the time of his death, which did not come until 
he had nearly reached the century mark, he had but a small estate, 
upon which his son Jonathan had administration 15 Nov., 1756. 
The inventory rendered 8 Dec. disclosed only personal effects to 
the value of £22-7-2. The estate of his son John was settled the 
preceding April. 

Descendants in the male line from Ensign John Holden, after 
the Revolution were found only in the person of his grandson Captain 
Nathaniel and the latter’s son Captain John Holden. 

19 Stephen (Richard), born in 1658 or 1659; died 1715, at 
Groton, Mass.; married, probably in 1685, Hannah Lawrence, born 
3 July, 1664, died probably in 1735, daughter of Deacon Nathaniel 
and Sarah (Morse) Lawrence 3 of Groton and later of Charlestown 
(Stoneham). 

Children, 4 probably all born at Groton: 

1 Stephen, died 28 July, 1688, at Groton. 5 

2- 2 John (“eldest son”); died 27 Dec., 1753; married Sarah Davis. 

3- 3 Stephen (“second son"); died 1757; married Hannah Sawtell. 

4- 4 Nathaniel (“third son”), born in 1691 or 1692; died 15 May, 1740; 

married Abigail Stone. 

5 Rachel (“first daughter”); married 20 Dec., 1716, William Lun 
(Lund) of Dunstable. 6 They joined 3 July, 1735, with John, 
Stephen and William Holden, all of Groton, yeomen, Simon 
Holden of Cambridge, blacksmith, William Green of Groton and 

‘See Genealogical Bulletin, p. 157. 2 Middlesex Deeds, 39:364; 39:342; 43:318, 596; 53:451. 

3 Named in her father’s will. Much care must be exercised in consulting the various printed accounts 
of the family of Deacon Lawrence and his son and grandson of the same name. See note, p. 65. 

4 Given in the order shown in probate records, where the sons are described as eldest, etc., and the 
daughters as first, etc. 

5 Groton return to County Court. 


6 Groton church records. 


SECOND GENERATION 


77 


Hannah his wife, John Kemp of Groton and Sarah his wife, in 
selling to brother Nathaniel Holden” of Groton that part of 
their father s homestead set off as their mother’s dower. 
Children: 1 

1. William Lund, born 18 July, 1717; died 20 March, 1782, at 

Dunstable; married Sarah. 

2. Rachel Lund, born 28 Aug., 1719; died 2 July, 1762, at Dunstable; 

married 2 Nov., 1739, at Hampton Falls, N. H., John Love- 
well. 

3. Charity Lund, born 16 Feb., 1730-1; died 1793; married Lucy. 

Lived at Merrimack. 

4. Mary Lund, born 28 Nov., 1733; married James Underwood. 

5. Lucy Lund, born 26 May, 1736; died young. 

6- 6 William; died probably in 1746; married Elizabeth Darby (Daby). 

7- 7 Simon (“fifth son”); died 1786; married Abigail Grover. 

8- 8 Jonathan (“sixth son”), born 1703; died 13 Sept., 1758; married 

Deborah Houghton. 

9- 9 Benjamin, under 14 in 1715; died prior to 1746; married Hannah 

Ockington. 

10 Hannah, born 1707; died 3 Sept., 1797, aged 90 years ( g.s . at Groton); 

married 9 March, 1726-7, 2 William Green of Groton, born 1699, 
died 7 May, 1778, in 80th year {g.s. at Groton). 

Children, born at Groton: 3 

1. William Green, born 25 Dec., 1727. 

2. Simon Green, born 15 Sept., 1729; died 16 Sept., 1813, at Town¬ 

send, Mass.; married 12 Sept., 1753, Mary Shattuck. 1 
Wounded at Bunker Hill. 

3. Jonas Green, born 15 March, 1731; married 29 June, 1758, 

Jemima Holden (196-4.). 

4. Hannah Green, born 4 Dec., 1732; married 4 March, 1752, at 

Groton, Jeremiah Hobart, probably that Jeremiah born 
5 Feb., 1722, died 27 Dec., 1802 (printed by Butler, 1820), 
aged 80 years, at Groton, son of Gershom and Lydia (Nutting) 
Hobart, and grandson of the Reverend Gershom Hobart. 

5. Elizabeth Green, born 17 June, 1735; died 31 Aug., 1741 {g.s. at 

Groton). 

11 Elizabeth, baptized 2 March, 1706-7; died young. 

12 Sarah (“third daughter”); married 4 Nov., 1731, 2 at Groton, John 

Kemp. 

Children, 3 born at Groton: 

1. John Kemp, born 4 June, 1732. 

2. Lawrence Kemp, born 24 Sept., 1733. 

3. Oliver Kemp, born 11 July, 1735. 

4. Jabez Kemp, born 19 March, 1736-7. 

5. Stephen Kemp, born 19 Sept., 1739. 

6. Lucy Kemp, born 24 April, 1742. 

7. Amasa Kemp, born 21 May, 1744. 

8. Sarah Kemp, born 29 May, 1746. 


1 Stearns: Dunstable Families , quoted by R. W. Holden. 

2 Groton church records. 3 ButIer: History of Groton 


78 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Stephen Holden joined with his brothers and sisters in the deed of 
25 July, 1679, and may at that time have been of age, yet John, who 
was his senior, was but 22 years old in 1679. 

Stephen Holden, w T ith whom his father spent the last years of his 
life, was the only one of the sons to settle permanently in Groton. 
He was the youngest son, and to him fell the duty of caring for his 
father during his old age. Prior to his return to Groton, after its 
destruction, Richard Holden deeded to Stephen “eighteen acres 
upland and swamp, some of it on the southern side of the brook by 
said Richard Holden’s formerly dwelling house and the way to 
Nonicoicus.” 1 This deed was dated 9 June, 1682, and was in con¬ 
sideration of the fact that Stephen had been paying all assessments 
on the town rights owned by his father and agreed to continue such 
payments two years longer. 

After the resettlement his name first appears in Groton records in 
the rate for the minister in 1681, when he was assessed 11 sh. 2 d. In 
1689 he was chosen one of the surveyors of highways, and in Decem¬ 
ber, 1690, an overseer of swine; December, 1692, constable, and 
again the following year. He was one of the six voters who dissented 
from the town’s vote, May, 1693, not to send a deputy to the General 
Court. The following year he was again surveyor of highways, and 
3 March, 1696, was chosen selectman. After his return from captivity 
he was chosen, in 1700, fence-viewer. 

On the 23 March, 1691, Richard Holden and his son Stephen 
entered into an agreement, whereby in consideration of the latter 
supplying his father with all necessary things he was to enter into 
possession of the homestead, all lands and other estate of his father, 
including the dividends to accrue upon the proprietors rights held 
by Richard. 2 

Groton did not experience any direct attack from the Indians 
after 1676 until 1694, although the years 1689 and 1690 were filled 
with apprehension. Groton was at this time headquarters for the 
scouts and troops defending this sector of the frontier. In 1691 and 
1692 there were eight garrison houses in town, appointed for the 
protection of the families in each locality. Lieutenant Jonas Pres¬ 
cott’s house at the southerly end of the village was that to which 
Stephen Holden and his family were assigned. 3 In July, 1694, the 
Indians fell upon the town, killed at least sixteen persons and cap¬ 
tured half as many more. For some years after this the inhabitants 
were living in great dread, and so subtle were the Indians that more 
than one inhabitant was cut off. In 1697, in May and June, the 
Indians killed three men at Groton and captured Stephen Holden 
and his two eldest boys, John and Stephen. Doctor Green has not 
been able to find any other date than June for this last raid, nor have 

J Middlesex Deeds, 8:346. 2 Middlesex Deeds, 12:31. 3 Groton in the Indian Wars, Green, p. 60. 


SECOND GENERATION 


79 


the details of Holden’s capture come down to us. But his petition 
for repayment to him of the money exacted for his ransom is found 
in Massachusetts Archives (70:400), and is as follows: 

To the Honored & great Assembly now sitting in Boston. 

The humble petition and Request of Stephen Holden of Groton 

Honored Srs It having pleased the 
Almighty God to order it that my selfe & my two biggest sons tho 
small were taken captives by the Indian enemyes from our towne of 
Groton and being with the Esterne enemy & my 2 sons about one 
year & ten moneth where tho’ it was my fortune to escape with my 
life thro gods mercy beyound what I did expect or look for & I think 
fared better then some other English yett great hardship and diffi- 
cuityes I underwent, butt being very desirous with one of my sons 
that v r as there to gitt home If it might before the English vessells 
came I was necessitated to give my promise to my Indian Pilates 
wdiom I satisfyed att Richman’s Island by English that I borrowed 
of there thre pound & twelve shillings If I might have y e boldness I 
would humbly crave that It might be payd out of Publiq stock I 
should take it thankfully att your hands. Thoe with my thankfull- 
nesse to God that both myselfe & both my children he hath graciosly 
returned to our home againe commend your honours and concerments 
into ye hands & wishing ye Presence & benidiction of ye Soveraine 
God I take Leave & subscribe myselfe your humble servant & 
suppliant. 

Stephen Holden. 

Groton May 27th, 1699. 

June 6, 1699. Voted the Pet. be paid out of the public treasurey 
£ 3 - 12 . 

19 July 1699. Approved by Council and consented to by Gov. 
Bellomont. 

The son, John Plolden, was released in January, his name appearing 
on a list of captives received on board the Province Galley , 17 Jan., 
1698 _ 9 } a t Casco Bay. Another record of a w^eek later states that 
Stephen Holden and Stephen Holden, Jr., both of Groton, are still 
in the hands of the Indians. 1 

In Nov., 1711, there w^ere eighteen “garrisons” at Groton, one 
of wdiich w r as “Mr. Holden’s,” where were one family, three men 
inhabitants, two soldiers, in all “twelve souls.” The total number 
of families in towm was 58, of men inhabitants 93, of soldiers sta¬ 
tioned there, 17, a grand total of 378. 2 

In 1713 Samuel Page of South Carolina and Nathaniel Lawrence 

2 Archives, 71:874. 


Archives, 70:398, 399. 


80 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


of Charlestown sold Stephen Holden several parcels of land and a 
five-acre right in Groton. 

Stephen Holden died in 1715, leaving his widow with several 
minor children to care for. She had administration on his estate 
17 July, 1715, and an inventory disclosed personal property valued 
at £138, and in addition to the home place 314 acres of land, all 
valued at £280. At her instance commissioners were appointed 
22 Feb., 1715-6, to divide the estate, who set off to her her third 
part, including the east end of the house. She had gift of lands 1 from 
her father during his life, and participated in his estate at his death 
in 1724. She died before 1738, perhaps as early as 1735. On 3 July, 
1735, John Holden, Stephen Holden, William Holden, and Jonathan 
Holden all of Groton, yeomen, Simon Holden of Cambridge, black¬ 
smith, William Lund of Dunstable, yeoman, and wife Rachel, William 
Green of Groton and wife Hannah, John Kemp of Groton and wife 
Sarah, in consideration of £216 sell to their brother Nathaniel 
Holden all their right in the homestead of their father, Stephen 
Holden, deceased. 1 

The widow Hannah conveyed to her son Jonathan all that land 
granted to her by her father Nathaniel Lawrence late of Charlestown, 
deceased, being his part of the original right in the undivided lands 
in Groton, pursuant to the vote of the Proprietors, 1726. Though 
dated 16 Sept., 1728, it was not recorded until 17 Nov., 1736. 2 
She also, on the same day, for love and affection, conveyed to 
her son Simon of Cambridge, blacksmith, one full moiety of 
land in Groton, and a parcel of intervale on west side Nashua 
river, the whole parcel, 12 acres, bounded north with lands formerly 
John Page, south with Justinian Holdin, deceased, east by river, 
and west by common. Also, a 5-acre right in all undivided lands in 
Groton, etc., and this he was to have “over and above his propor¬ 
tion of the estate I shall leave my children at my death.” 3 

The settlement of the estate of Stephen Holden involved a dis¬ 
tribution to his ten children, 22 Feb., 1715-6, the eldest son receiving 
his double portion. To the widow as her dower there was set off the 
east end of house with the chimney thereto belonging, and 10 poles 
of land adjoining to the north side of said east end, also one-third 
the barn, being the south end and west side, etc., valued at £25-6-8. 
Also part of the homestead lying on the south side the highway and 
dwelling house aforesaid, next Slate field so called, 20 acres, being 
upland, swamp and meadow, bounded: beginning at the highway 
the line ran southerly by stakes to the land of John Green, thence 
running partly easterly to land which was formerly John Hutchinges’, 
and, then ran westerly by said Hutchinges’ to the highway leading 
to Coy us (Nonoicoicus), thence partly northerly to a walnut tree, 

‘Middlesex Deeds, 37:238. Ubid., 37:659. “Ibid., 28:104. 


SECOND GENERATION 


81 


thence northerly by marked trees to a black oak “and on all other 
parts it bounds to the highways with the fencing.” Also 3 acres 
at Indian Hill, valued at £8-10; 1/3 of 16 acres, £3-6-8; 2 acres, 
1/4 of town right, £1-2-6. 

The remaining two-thirds of the land was divided into four parts: 
To John, eldest son, several parcels of land, 60 acres, on west side 
Lancaster river at Mulpus, bounded as in a deed from Deacon 
Nathaniel Lawrence and Samuel Page to the deceased, £11; also 
6 acres on west side of Lancaster river at Rye Fordway, as described 
in a deed from Samuel Page, £4; 2 acres meadow, £5: “and we find 
that said John holds by deed of gift from his father 2 parcels of land 
valued at £34, and 4 acres town right at £2;” total £56. 

To Stephen, second son, 108 acres to be taken up in town commons 
on west side of Lancaster river, of ancient grant, £11; also 2/3 of 
16 acres, £6-13; 2 acres meadow on Squannicook river, £4; a 4-acre 
right in town common, £2, as in a deed from Samuel Page; total, 
£28-1. 

To Nathaniel, third son, the homestead on both sides of the 
highway, comprising thirty acres, more or less, with the house, barn, 
etc., except the widow’s portion, valued at £79-13-4; also 1-acre 
meadow, all that remains at Indian Hill after the set-off to the widow; 
6 acres at Indian Hill; 2 acres meadow in Long meadow; and a 
4-acre town right; total £95-3. 

To William, fourth son, 4 acres in General Field, between Stephen 
Holden’s house and Pierce; also 12 acres near the General Field; 
15 acres in the General Field; 4 acres in Plumtree ( Qy . Pleyntree) 
swamp; 20 acres at Sandy Pond; 2 acres in Rock meadow; and a 
3jk£-acre town right; total, £35-17. 

Equalized by payments: Nathaniel to pay to Hannah, the 
second daughter, Simon, the fifth son, Rachel, the first daughter, 
Sarah, the third daughter, Jonathan, the sixth son. 

John to pay Benjamin, the seventh son, under 14 years, and to 
Hannah, and others. 

This settlement was accepted 14 Oct., 1717, by Hannah Holding, 
Nathaniel Holding, William Holding, and also by John Holding, 
who having sold the land given him by his father to his brother 
Stephen for £20, the judge ordered that the difference be made good 

to him. 

Further details appear in the Commissioners’ return and distri¬ 
bution, 2 Jan., 1737, when the widow’s dower was actually set off. 
Ten children are named in order of birth, sons, then daughters — 


82 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


John, Stephen, Nathaniel, William, Simon, Jonathan, Benjamin; 
Rachel, Hannah, Sarah. 

From this it is seen that of the estate there were 20 acres w T est 
of the Slate field, and south of the highway. The whole farm north 
and south of the highway was about forty acres. As may be seen 
from the division of the estate of Nathaniel, Slate field comprised 
14% acres. 

There is no description of the lands which Richard Holden held, 
other than the inventory of November, 1683, found in the Proprietors’ 
records, where it is stated that Richard Holden held an “eighteen 
acre proportion.” 

Lands of Richard Holden 1 

This being an 18-acre proportion. 

1 . Upland: first his liouselot 15 acres more or less bounded north 
with land of Ralph Reed, east by highway, south by land of Benjamin 
Crisp, and west by his own land. 

2 . 13 acres bounded north by land of Ralph Reed, west by land of 
William Longley and common, south by land of Jonathan Saw tell, 
east by land of Benjamin Crisp and his own land, a way being pur¬ 
chased through by the Town. 

3. Indian Hill: 6 acres bounded north by the end of the other lots, 
east by land of Sergeant Knop, south by highway, west by land of 
Benjamin Crisp. 

4. Near the General Field: 33 acres, bounded north by land of 
William Elluee and Samuel Davis, west by highway near the General 
Field, south by land of John Morse, easterly by land of John Morse 
and Jonathan Sawtell. 

, 5. In General Field: 15 acres, bounded north by the highway 
leading to the river, east by land of Richard Blood, south by his own 
swamp and meadow, west by common land. 

6 . Near Sandy Pond Brook: 24 acres, bounded north by land of 
Ellis Barron, and on all other points by the common lands. 

7. Twenty acres, bounded east by land of Peleg Lawrence, on all 
other points by common lands and county road. 

Meadows 

1 . Broad Meadow 2 : 5 acres, bounded north by meadow of Samuel 
Woods, east by upland, south by Richard Sawtell, west by John Day 
and John Morss. 

2 . At Indian Hill: 4 acres, bounded east on Samuel Woods, west 
on Richard Sawtell, and on all other points by town common. 

1 Proprietors’ Records, a true but not a literal copy though essentially complete. 

2 Broad Meadow is the land between the two main roads running north and south, and between the 
railroad station and Groton school, west of the village. This territory was built upon, as meadow meant 
mowing land rather than what is now called meadow. General Field was north of the present Ayer line 
near the river. 


SECOND GENERATION 


83 


3. South Meadow: 33/2 acres, hounded north by John Page, west 
by Ellis Barron, south by Jonas Prescott and Matthew Farnsworth, 
and on all other points by town upland. 

4. At Long Meadow: 2 acres, bounded south by Ralph Reed, 
west with Ellis Barron, elsewhere by the town upland. 

5. At Janies Brook Meadow and Swamp: 4 acres, bounded east by 
John Morse, west by Samuel Davis, elsewhere by town commons. 

6 . Between Massabog and Little Pond: 3J4 acres, bounded with 
the Little Pond and meadow. 

Intervale on west side 1 : 11 acres, bounded north by land of Timothy 
Cooper, east by the river, south by land of William Longley, and 
west by town upland. 

Confirmed 14 Nov., 1683. 

“Stephen Holden paying for a four-acre proportion have paid three 
shillings, four pence to the Indian purchase, as being his full and 
just sum. 7 March, 1688.” 

The above described lands passed by deed to Stephen Holden, 
to whom was laid out various ‘‘dividends” from the common lands 
from time to time. 

Nathaniel Holden, the third son of Stephen, came into possession 
of the homestead of his father. By the distribution of the estate 
he came immediately to possess “the homestead on both sides the 
highway” except so much as was set off to the widow, his mother, 
as her dower. In 1735 he bought of his brothers and sisters their 
rights in the widow’s share, and at her death thus became owner of 
the dwelling in which his father died, with the lands immediately 
surrounding it, extending from the Nonoicoicus or Ayer road westerly, 
to the Lancaster road, the extension of Farmers’ Row, along what 
was for many years known as the Lunenburg road. This ancient 
road is easily traced. Leading from the Ayer road between the farms 
and dwellings of Tuttle and McGregor, stone-walled on both sides, it 
soon approaches the railroad, the construction of which closed 
the old road. At this point it turns slightly to the south and winds 
along the edge of a slope, to a natural crossing of the brook which 
in olden time flowed out of the lowlands to the north — the so-called 
Pine meadow — and which is today the outlet of the artificial pond 
called the School Pond. Bearing southwesterly, the old road, now 
traced by the wall on the southern side and evidences of the northern 
boundary, may be followed until it comes out on the Lancaster road 
just north of the old district schoolhouse. The western end is a 
little to the south of the eastern end, but in olden times this was 
not the end of the road. It continued in a straight line west to the 
Shirley road. Today the western end of the extension is a way into 


1 “ On west side” is west side of the Nashua River. 


84 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


an orchard, and debouches into the Shirley road right at the angle 
where it turns from a southwesterly to a slightly northwesterly course. 

When Stephen Holden, the elder, built his dwelling, to which came 
to live his father Richard, the main travelled road to Nonoicoicus 
left the present Ayer road just south of McGregor's and passed 
along the easterly side of the brook known as James Brook, through 
land of Simon Stone, making a sweep to a point south of the brook 
and south of Matthew Farnsworth. Near the point where it formerly 
entered this detour Benjamin Crisp had a mill site and mill, and 
to reach this mill from the northwestern part of the village there 
was laid out a road from Lancaster Road, starting near John Page’s 
house and running almost southerly along the edge of the low land 
until it intersected the trail which later became the Lunenburg 
road. It was at this intersection that Stephen Holden’s house stood. 
This is the most reasonable construction to be given the somewhat 
involved, and to us of the present day somewhat blind, description 
of the layout of roads prior to and immediately following the resettle¬ 
ment of the town. 

It is probable that the first settlement of Richard Holden was 
at this point, though it may have been farther south, and nearer the 
river, near his son Justinian, but the fact that his original house lot 
of 15 acres was laid out extending west from Nonoicoicus road would 
point to site of the original house being close by that on which 
Stephen built his first house — the house probably described as 
“old" in 1715. It therefore follows, if this “old" house stood, as 
may be surmised, west of the house he later erected, that the original 
Richard Holden house stood near the brook where the new house 
was built. 

This latter house passed at Nathaniel Holden's death to his sons 
Jabez and Isaac, and ultimately to the last named. So far as can 
be determined it stood over or near the present “Fifth Hole’’ of the 
Groton School golf course. The land rises there from the little 
valley through which the brook flows, and back of the house was 
probably a grove as beautiful as the one which now exists, and from 
the summit of the rise may be seen a wide extent of the Nashua 
River valley with Mount Wachusett in the distance. This house 
was the “garrson" of 1711, and Isaac Holden found it large enough 
to utilize as an inn. It must have been of fair size and good con¬ 
struction. 

I he name Slate field, given in the days of Stephen Holden, perhaps 
even by Richard Holden himself, still persists, and in 1843 the 
sixteen-acre field bounding easterly on Ayer road and northerly on 
the Lunenburg road, being a part of Richard Holden’s original 
18-acre houselot, passed from Doldt to Boynton, and was described 
as the “Slate field.’’ It is now owned by Malcolm McGregor. 



s 


Plan of Groton. Early Holden Homesteads 


1 Second Church 

(near site of first edifice) 

2 Dwelling of Stephen Holden 

17°° 

3 Benjamin Crisp 

4 Matthew Farnsworth 

5 Deacon Simon Stone 

6 John Hutchins 

7 Daniel Pierce 


8 William Longley 

9 Ralph Reed 

10 Stephen Holden, Jr. 

11 Captain Jabez Holden 

12 Jonathan Holden 

13 William Holden 

14 Holden land 

15 Abraham Moors 

(formerly Farnsworth) 


16 John Page 

17 Nathan Hubbard 

18 Mouth of Squannacook River 

19 Present Unitarian Church 

20 Road to Nonacoicus 
20a Nonacoicus Farm 

21 Ayer Junction 





































SECOND GENERATION 


85 


It may be noted as having some bearing on the original grants of 
lots in this section, that the line of the old Lunenburg road, if extended 
directly west, was apparently not only the northern limit of the 
Holden lot north of the homestead, but of the lots to the west. 

When and how Isaac Holden parted with his home is not known, 
but in June, 1771, Ephraim Russell was in possession of all that 
part of the homestead west of the Slate field, and also of the land 
immediately to the west and north of the Lunenburg road, which 
latter tract he had bought of John Learned. Russell continued in 
possession for many years, and his son Thomas sold the house and 
eight acres in November, 1789, to Oliver Prescott, who bought for 
investment, not occupancy. The old house does not appear to have 
been standing in 1798, probably having been destroyed by fire. 
Today as one passes along the railroad, all that land fomerly the 
Holden homestead is visible; that to the east under cultivation, and 
that to the west either used as a pasture or as a golf course. 

The other sons of Stephen Holden, the elder, had their lands 
between Nathaniel’s home and the river; and the original farm, 
after consolidation of the various grants, dividends, and purchases, 
if it had remained in one ownership, would have extended with some 
slight interruptions from Indian Hill east of the old Nonoicoicus 
Road to the river, bearing southwesterly toward the bridge, laying 
in a general way between Page and Farnsworth (later Moors), and 
bounded or crossed by the Lunenburg and Shirley roads. 

21 Samuel {Justinian), born 28 April, 1674, 1 at Cambridge; died 
there in 1726; married Susanna Shattuck, died probably in 
1727 or 1728, daughter of William and Susanna (Randall) Shattuck 2 
of Watertown. She was admitted to full communion in Cambridge 
church 10 May, 1724, and her husband 15 March, 1723-4. 3 Samuel 
had owned the covenant at Watertown 8 Oct., 1699. Expenses for 
the burial of both Samuel and Susanna Holden were charged by the 
administrator of the estate, 1 April, 1728. 

Children, born at Cambridge: 

1 Lydia, baptized 8 Oct., 1099, at Watertown; probably died s.p.: 

married 8 May, 1721, at Watertown, 1 Benjamin Clarke, born 
6 Nov., 1696, at Watertown, died there 17 Jan., 1729-30, son of 
Uriah and Mary (Pease) Clarke. 1 She married (2) 16 Aug., 1735, at 
Watertown, 1 Augustus Hale of Boston. 

2 Susanna, baptized 8 Oct., 1699, at Watertown; married 4 25 June, 

1734, at Watertown, 1 William March of Watertown, who with 

1 Town records. 2 Suffolk files, 20,057. Cambridge church records. 

4 Henry Goddin testified that in 1727-8, he lived with Mr. William Shattuck, as an hired man, and 
Susannah Holding came to her grandfather, William Shattuck’s house and lived there about four months; 
during all that season Joseph Bright used to come twice a week acourting, and I thought no other but he 
designed to make her his wife. Suffolk files, 200,057. In August, 1730, she sued Bright for breach of promise. 
General Sessions, 1729-31. 


86 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


his family were warned from Cambridge, 10 March, 1741-2. He 
enlisted in the garrison at Castle William. She was admitted to the 
church at Watertown 5 Dec., 1731. 

Children: 1 

1. Lydia March, born 13 March, 1734-5. 

2. William March, born 3 Sept., 1736. 

3. Dorothy March, baptized 19 Sept., 1736. 

4. Susanna March, born 29 Jan., 1741-2. 

3 Samuel, born 29 Sept., 1701; baptized 5 Oct., 1701; died 13 Sept., 

1723, 2 unmarried. 

4 Mercy, born 26 March, 1704; married John Stratton, born 4 May, 

1689, died 27 March, 1735, at Watertown, son of John and Abigail 
Stratton. 3 She married (2) (intention 1 Nov., 1739 4 ) Christopher 
Grant, son of Joseph and Mary (Grafton) Grant. 3 
Children, born at Cambridge 7 and Watertown: 3 

1. Joshua Stratton, born 14 Nov., 1722; died 2 Feb., 1753; married 

Mercy Coolidge. 

2. Mercy Stratton, born 22 Sept, (baptized 24 Sept., at Cam¬ 

bridge), 1724; died 26 Sept., 1731. 

3. Eunice Stratton, born 27 Dec., 1727; married 11 Sept., 1753, 

Joseph Coolidge, killed 19 April, 1775. 7 

4. Abigail Stratton, born 7 Dec., 1729; married Ephraim Seager. 5 

5. John Stratton, born 1 Oct., 1732; married Mary Coolidge. 

6. Mercy Stratton, born 23 March, 1734-5; died 24 Aug., 1749. 

7. Mary Grant, born 17 March, 1739-40; married 20 Sept., 1759, 

Jedediah Learned. 

8. Christopher Grant (Col.), born 4 Feb., 1743-4; died 1 April, 

1818; married 4 Aug., 1763, Sarah Watson, who died 20 May, 
1821, aged 75. 

5 Mary, born 1707; 6 married 7 April, 1730, at Watertown, 7 Reuben 

Farnsworth, born 28 April, 1705, died 1755, at Harvard, Mass., 
son of Jonathan and Ruth (Shattuck) Farnsworth of Groton f 
She married (2) Thomas Barney, father of Thomas Barney, r , 
who married his stepsister, a daughter of Reuben Farnsworth 
Children, born at Harvard: 8 

1. Mary Farnsworth, born 16 Sept., 1731; married- Watson. 

2. Ruth Farnsworth, born June, 1736; married - Harris. 

3. Daughter, married Deacon Thomas Barney, Jr. Lived in 

Egremont, Mass. (Perhaps this was a second marriage of 
Ruth.) 

4. Daughter, married - Glidden, of Egremont. 

5. Daughter, married - Glidden, of Egremont. 

6. Daughter, married- Thomas. 

7. Daughter, married - Belding. 

^ond: Genealogies and History of Watertown. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms. Gravestone, Arlington Street, Watertown. 

3 Bond’s Watertown. 4 Boston records. 

5 R. W. Holden Ms. See A Book of Strattons, p. 175. Bond’s Watertown follows the descendants in 
the Stratton. Coolidge and Jennison lines. 

S F. A. Holden Ms., who quotes “an ancient manuscript.” 

7 Town records. 8 R. W. Holden Ms., evidently from Farnsworth Memorial. 








SECOND GENERATION 


87 


8. Reuben Farnsworth, born 4 June, 1751; died 1813, at Burling¬ 
ton, Vt.; married Keziah Kellogg; (2) Anna Kellogg. 
Lived at Dorset, Vt. 

6 Abigail, born 30 May, 1710; married 13 Feb., 1733-4, at Watertown, 
Samuel Jennison, born 26 Sept., 1704, at Watertown, son of 
Samuel and Mary (Stearns) Jennison. 

Children : 1 

1. Samuel Jennison, born 6 Nov., 1734; married 11 Nov., 1761, 

Abigail Newton. 

2. Abigail Jennison, born 7 Oct., 1736; died 22 Aug., 1813; married 

24 July, 1755, William Sanger. 

3. Mary Jennison, born 27 June, 1741; married 25 Dec., 1764, 

Simon Coolidge. Removed to Jay (Phipp’s Canada), Me., 
about 1783, the first settler there. 2 

4. Phineas Jennison, born 27 Sept., 1743; died 1825, at Newton; 

married 28 Aug., 1769, Susan Newton. Their son Josiah 
Jennison, baptized 30 Sept., 1781, married 14 March, 1808, 
Hannah Holden (2311-1). 

5. Lucy Jennison, baptized 20 April, 1746; married 10 Jan., 1766, 

Abraham Hewes of Weston. 

6. Sarah Jennison, born 8 June, 1748; married 24 Nov., 1773, 

Cornet David Townsend of Waltham. 

7. William Jennison, baptized 23 Sept., 1750; married 17 May, 

1772, Phebe Baldwin. 

8. Joshua Jennison, baptized 23 April, 1753; married 23 Dec., 1774, 

Hannah Ward of Watertown. 

9. Mercy (Mary) Jennison, baptized 22 April, 1753; married 18 

April, 1774, Elijah Talman. 

7- 7 William, born 4 March, 1712-3, at Cambridge; died 30 March, 1776; 
married Hannah Beal. 

8 Phineas, born 12 May, 1715; died 1791, s.p.; married Zerviah 
Bushnell, born 1721, died 23 Aug., 1786, aged 65 years ( g . s. at 
Norwich, Conn.), where both Mr. and Mrs. Holden are buried in 
the Episcopal church-yard. She was the daughter of Captain 
Benajah and Zerviah (Leffingwell) Bushnell. Phineas Holden was 
living in Watertown in 1748. Phineas Holden was clerk of the 
parish at Norwich and in 1789 gave a lot near the east end of the 
main street for erection of a new church. In 1767, his mother-in- 
law had given a glebe lot to the parish. Justinian Holden was one 
of the executors of his estate, which was considerable. 1 It is said 
of him that he issued the first insurance policy granted on live stock. 


Samuel Holden lived upon the 66-acre tract, part of the home¬ 
stead bequeathed him by his father. He added 14 acres by purchase. 
His situation identified him more with Watertown than Cambridge 
people, and he attended the Watertown church, where his children 
were baptized, though late in life both he and wife were admitted to 

2 Middiesex Deeds, 23:390. 20 Feb., 1729. 


'Catkins: History of Norwich . 


88 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


full communion with the Cambridge church. Lie with his brothers 
Joseph and Isaac are among those contributing to a fund to buy 
additional ministerial lands, 29 May, 1711, in Watertown. 

Administration on his estate was granted 9 Jan., 1726-7, to Ben¬ 
jamin Clarke of Watertown, husband of his eldest child. The inven¬ 
tory disclosed a value of £978, including 81 acres land. Clarke and his 
brother-in-law, John Stratton, occupied the farm for two years. On 
20 Feb., 1729-30, administration de bonis non was granted to Joseph 
Holden on petition of John Stratton, in behalf of his wife Mercy, 1 
Lydia Clarke, Susanna 2 Holden, Mary Holden, and the guardians 
of Abigail, William, and Phineas Holden. Later these heirs sold the 
homestead to Henry Prentice for £1000. William Holden’s receipt 
to his brother Joseph, who was his guardian, dated 16 April, 1734, 
was for £257-18-0. It was witnessed by “Abigail Holden.” 

22 John ( Justinian), 18 July, 1675, at Cambridge; died prob- 
bably about 1767; 3 married 7 Nov., 1699, at Reverend Henry 
Gibb’s house, Watertown, 4 Grace Jennison, born 11 Feb., 1678, 
died 7 Jan., 1757, at Concord 4 , daughter of Ensign Samuel and 
Judith (Newcomb) Jennison. 5 She was dismissed from the church 
at East End of Watertown to that at Weston Jan., 1709-10. 
Children : 4 

1- 1 John, born 5 June, 1700, at Watertown; died probably in 1757; mar¬ 

ried Mary Wheeler. 

2- 2 Daniel, born 3 April, 1702, at Watertown; died 7 Nov., 1782; mar¬ 

ried Anne Jones. 

3- 3 Peter, born 1 Feb., 1704-5, at Watertown; married Beulah; (2) 

Abigail Jones. 

4 Grace, born 3 July, 1707, at Watertown; died 8 March, 1724-5, at 

Concord. 

5 Elizabeth, born 29 July, 1709, at Watertown; died without surviv¬ 

ing issue. 

6- 6 Josiah, born 29 Jan., 1711-12 (probably the “John” baptized 
16 Feb., 1711, at Weston, “ 14 — old”), at Watertown; died 2 Jan., 
1800; married Hannah Parker. 

7 Judah, born 5 May, 1715 (at Sudbury); baptized 3 July, 1715, at 

Weston, where it is recorded “born at Colchester.” 

8 Eunice, born 5 Sept., 1717, 6 at Concord. 

^Middlesex Deeds, 29:390. 20 Feb., 1729. 

2 This name has been read Anna, hence the insertion of a child of that name in some lists of the children 
of Samuel Holden 

3 This date appears probable. Several deeds of his sons, passed long before, were recorded at this time, 
and the land affected had come from the father. The statement that he died 8 March, 1772, at Cambridge! 
appears in the R. W. Holden Ms., but Cambridge records are silent. His brother Isaac died on that date! 
There is no settlement of his estate on Middlesex probate records. Was he not a resident of Glastenbury? 
4 Town records, births, marriages, deaths. 

5 In Dec., 1723, John Holden of Concord, innholder, and wife Grace, daughter and legatee of Samuel 
Jennison, Sr., of Watertown, sued Samuel Jennison, Jr., executor of his father’s estate. The case was 
determined in October, 1724. The executor was required to divide the personal property between the four 
daughters of the deceased, viz., Judith, Rachel, Grace and Lydia. (Middlesex Inferior Court Common 
Pleas, 1722-30, pp. 22, 46, 53.) 

6 Of John and Mary, the mother’s name in this instance being error of the clerk. 


SECOND GENERATION 


89 


9 Mary, born 20 March, 1718-19, at Concord; married 26 Aug., 1741, 
at Concord , 1 John How of Sudbury. (Mary Holden of Concord 
and Samuel Train of Weston were published 2 April, 1738, at 
Weston. He married 31 Dec., 1741, Rachel Allen, who was the 
mother of all his children. Probably the intention to marry was 
reconsidered.) 

J-10 Jonas, born 8 July, 1721, at Concord; died (living 1794); married 
Abigail Kendall. 

11 Abigail, born 7 Nov., 1723, at Concord; died 27 Feb., 1723-4. 1 

John Holden sold his land in Watertown and bought land in 
Weston in 1709, where he lived until 1714 or 1715 when he removed 
to Sudbury, and the following year purchased a farm in the southerly 
part of Concord and removed thither. He bought of Benjamin 
Barron 2^ acres at the junction of two roads, having on it a house, 
shop and barn, and in 1723 was conducting an inn at that place, in 
which by 1733 he was joined by his son John, to whom he conveyed 
half the property, and in 1723 the other half to his son Daniel. He 
was styled innholder in 1735, but yeoman in 1736. He would appear 
to have conveyed all his real estate to his sons, although the con¬ 
veyance of his farm does not appear of record. He was living in 
Concord in 1757, but after he surrendered the inn to his son’s man¬ 
agement very little is known of him. 


23 Isaac ( Justinian ), born 28 May, 1677, at Cambridge; 
died there 8 March, 1772 ; 2 married 1703, 3 Joanna Shattuck, 
daughter of William and Susanna (Randall) Shattuck. 4 She lived 
to be nearly ninety years of age. 5 

Children, probably all born at Cambridge: 

1- 1 Isaac, born 12 Nov., 1703; died probably in 1758; married Elizabeth 

Cutting. 

2- 2 Henry, born about 1705; died aged about 73; married Sarah Fuller. 
3 Joanna, born 1708; died 28 Feb., 1728 (g.s., Arlington Street ceme¬ 
tery, Watertown), unmarried. 

4- 4 Justinian, born 1715; died 1756; married Ruth (Robbins) Sawyer. 
He was “aged 39” in 1756. 

5 Tabitha, born and died 1716; buried in Arlington Street cemetery, 
Watertown. 


The family record left by Abner Holden says of Isaac: “He inher¬ 
ited the westerly part of his honored father’s estate. In early life 

1 Town records, births, marriages, deaths. 2 Boston hews Letter, issue of 19 March, 1772. 

3 Sessions , 14 March, 1703-4, where she is described as late Hannah Shaddock of Watertown. 

♦Beniamin Shattuck of Littleton, clerk; John Holland of Watertown, and wife Elizabeth; Isaac Holden 
of Cambridge, yeoman, and wife Johanna; and Joseph Holden of Cambridge, yeoman, guardian to his 
four children; Joseph, Stephen, Abigail and Abner, minor children of his wife Abigail, deceased, convey 
to William Greenleaf of Boston the remainder of the testator s personal estate, as ordered by the will of 
William Shattuck, deceased, dated 10 June, 1687, and interest in land in Watertown with dwelling house, 
18 Dec., 1732. Middlesex Deeds, 33:423. 5 F. A. Holden Ms. 


90 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


he was a soldier in the Indian War at Old Saco, and after his return 
was married.” When the second parish of Cambridge, known as 
Menotomy (now Arlington), was set off 27 Dec., 1732, the north¬ 
western corner of his orchard formed one of the bounds. 

He w^as a farmer, and in his will dated 21 Sept., 1765, proved 
7 April, 1772, he described himself as a “husbandman.” To the 
heirs of his son Isaac he gave £33, and the same to the heirs of son 
Justinian. The residue he gave to son Henry, whom he named 
executor. His estate was represented only by a debt of £189 due 
from Henry. 

26 Joseph {Justinian), born 6 Sept., 1683, at Cambridge; 
died 30 Nov., 1768, at Westminster, aged 84 {g.s.)\ married 17 Feb., 
1714-15, at Watertown, 1 Abigail Shattuck, baptized 24 July, 1698, 
died “in the spring of 1728, ” 2 daughter of William and Susannah 
(Randall) Shattuck of Watertown. He married, second, 11 June, 
1729, at Watertown, 1 Elizabeth (Dickson) Russell, widow of 
Hubbard Russell of Cambridge, baptized 24 July, 1698, at Cam¬ 
bridge, died 1784, at Westminster, her death being noticed in the 
Massachusetts Spy of 26 August, daughter of John and Margery 
(Winship) Dickson of Cambridge. By her first marriage she had 
Jason, Mary, Margaret, and Hobart Russell. 

Children, born at Watertown: 3 

1 Joseph, born 31 Jan., 1715-16; died 14 Sept., 1774, unmarried. 
Administration on his estate was granted 25 Oct., 1774, to Stephen 
and Abner Holden. He enlisted 24 June, 1748, and served until 16 
Oct. following in company commanded by Captain Edward Hartwell, 
as centinel and “Narragansett Scout .” 4 His brother Abner wrote 
of him, “He underwent the difficulties and unavoidable hardships 
which are peculiar to settling new plantations. He had an uncom¬ 
monly firm constitution, having for almost forty years together 
never been confined to his bed by sickness one day, till his last 
sickness, which did not confine him to his bed more than 24 hours. 
He was strictly honest and just in his dealings, moderate in his 
demands, prudent in his living, decent but not extravagant in his 
apparrel, diligent in his calling, an enemy to idelness and profanity, 
got his bread by the swet of his brow . . . for many years past 
been employed in the most respectable offices of the town, which 
he discharged with truthfulness to his constituents.” 

2- 2 Stephen, born 21 Oct., 1717; died 15 Sept., 1794; married Abigail 
Bemis. 

3 Abigail, born 19 Oct., 1719; died 5 Aug., 1775, at Newton; married 
28 Jan., 1762, David Richardson (as his third wife), born 14 April, 
1700, at Woburn, died 1770 at Newton, son of Samuel and Sarah 
(Hayward) Richardson . 2 She had no children. “She learned the 


'Town records. 

3 Town and church records, and Abner Holden’s relation. 


2 F. A. Holden Ms. 
♦Archives, 92:145. 


SECOND GENERATION 


91 


tailor s trade and pursued that calling until she was over 40 years 
old . . . she was a woman of a good share of understanding, a 
strict member of the Baptist persuasion, abounding in practical 
Christian virtues,” and her brother adds, “by will dated March 5, 
1773, gave her property to her brothers Stephen and Abner Holden. 
She was buried in Newton.” 

4 Abner, born 6 May, 1721; died in infancy. Not on Watertown 
records. 

5- 5 Abner, born 2 Nov., 1722; died 22 Oct., 1805; married Elizabeth 
Darby. He left an account of his father’s and his own family. 

6 Jonathan, born 6 June, 1725; died prior to 1732. 

By second marriage: 

7 Elizabeth, baptized 26 April, 1730, at Watertown; died 14 Dec., 

1756, at Westminster, of dyphtheria; married Colonel John Rand, 
born 14 Oct., 1722, at Lynn, died 11 Dec., 1789, son of Thomas 
and Elizabeth (Parker) Rand. 1 
Children: 

1. Zachariah Rand, born 18 Aug., 1752; married 22 June, 1778, 

Jerusha Sawyer, daughter of Nathaniel and Jerusha (Flint) 

Sawyer. 1 They removed to Pittsfield, Vt. 

2. Abigail Rand, died 8 Oct., 1756, at Westminster, of dyphtheria. 

3. Elizabeth Rand, died 14 Dec., 1756, at Westminster, of dyph¬ 

theria. 

Joseph Holden of Cambridge was appointed guardian of his chil¬ 
dren, Joseph, Stephen, Abigail, and Abner in 1732. 

Joseph Holden was admitted to full communion with the church 
in the east end of Watertown, 3 Oct., 1725, and his wife Abigail, 
5 Dec., 1725. From this time he took an active part in the affairs 
of the parish and church, being assessor, member of seating com¬ 
mittee, etc. In 1732 he was chosen constable of Watertown. In 
1705 he recovered at law a legacy of £20 left him by will of Joseph 
Rutter of Sudbury, who is described in Holden’s complaint as the 
brother of his mother, the wife of Justinian Holden. In 1728 the 
General Court granted to the survivors of the Narragansett fight 
or their representatives, two townships, one being Narragansett 
No. 2, later Westminster. Abner Holden has told of his father’s 
experiences in a relation which has come down to us: 

“And now I am arrived again to treat of my Hon’d father, Joseph Holden, 
youngest son of Justinian Holden, who was borne at Cambridge in the year 
one thousand six hundred and eighty-three and was left without a father 
at the age of about four years, and before he obtained the least degree of 
knowledge or the smallest advantage of intruction from him, in an age when 
the country was new and unimproved and learning as new as the country, 
scarcely any schools established in towns and the means for obtaining knowl¬ 
edge but very indifferent, and he as it were, left to be his own director in 


J Town records. 


92 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


life; yet, however, through the smiles of Divine Providence with his own 
industry and that without the help of schools he obtained a degree of learning 
far beyond what is called common learning both in reading, writing and 
astronomy. In early life he was called into the service of his country as a 
soldier against the Indian enemy and after the return of peace he settled in 
the town of Watertown on a part of the farm of his Hon d father, and inter¬ 
married with Abigail Shattuck, daughter of William Shattuck and sister of 
Hannah and Susannah Shattuck, wives of his brothers Samuel and Isaac 
Holden, by whom he had four sons by the names of Joseph, Stephen, Abner 
and Jonathan Holden, and one daughter by the name of Abigail Holden; 
but before I particularize his family I shall endeavour a further description 
of him as to his features, manners, sentiments, temper, and disposition; 
and first as to his features, he was tall and slim-bodied and straight made, 
his face rather long, his eyes of a bright countenance rather inclined to a 
gray, his nose slim but not long, his chin rather sharp, his shoulders, arms 
and body well proportioned, very erect and straight when he walked, his 
speech in early life loud and distinct, was not very robust but a tolerable 
good constitution, temperate in his diet, civil in his deportment, free in his 
conversation, modest and reserved in his behaviour, and as to his sentiments 
in religious matters he was very catholic and charitable, far from that big¬ 
otry which very much governed our ancestors who first settled this country. 

He supposed that the satisfaction of Christ’s sufferings and death on the 
cross was sufficient to purchase life for the whole human race, and that the 
offers of life and pardon extended to all under the light of the gospel, and that 
not the hidden purposes of God but willful neglect of the sinner, can bar the 
sinner from the blessedness of the pardoned man. 

After his family just began to make their appearance in the would and 
before any of them had arrived to years of discretion, his beloved wife was 
called out of this, into the world of spirits, and he left a widower with a family 
of small children, and very soon after her death, his youngest son, Jonathan 
Holden, deceased, being about three or four years of age. He, finding him¬ 
self alone, conceived it his duty and interest to seek another consort, and 
within about one year after the death of his first wife he married with a 
widow, Elizabeth Russell, by whom he had one daughter, by the name of 
Elizabeth Holden. 

Having but an indifferent farm, no wise sufficient to settle any of his sons, 
he formed the design of selling his interest in Watertown and purchasing 
land in the country sufficient to settle all his family around him, which he 
put in execution, having previous thereto joined the Narragansett Company 
in the right of his father Shattuck, who served in the war against the Nar¬ 
ragansett Indians, in the early settlement of the country, and having obtained 
a grant (with others) of a township called Narragansett No. 2, formed a 
resolution of being the first settler in that new inhospitable wilderness. 
He sold all his interest, and gathered all his small substance and family 
together and on the 13th day of June, 1737, left Watertown, and on the 14th 
came to Lancaster, left his wife and young daughter, and myself, there 
for the summer, and he and my brother Joseph went forward to the new 
settlement and began to build a house; my brother Stephen soon followed 
and in the fall we all moved into the town; and a howling wilderness it was. 


SECOND GENERATION 


93 


where no man dwelt; the surrounding forest, the hideous yell of wolves and 
shriek of owls, gobbling of turkies, and barking of foxes, was all the music 
we enjoyed; no friend to visit, no chant of musick was here to be found, no 
soul in the surrounding towns, all a dreary waste exposed to a thousand 
difficulties, no meeting house or minister, no mills or neighbours nearer 
than Crowm Point or Canada; here with courage and magnanimity of mind 
he took up his abode for life. 

The first of his care in a public line was the settlement of the gospel and 
building a meeting house; being a proprietary it was attended with very 
peculiar difficulties, but with much and great attention and frequent appli¬ 
cation to the proprietors, in about two years a meeting house was erected 
and the outside finished, and on the 6 th day of June, 1739, at a public meet¬ 
ing of the proprietors in the township, it was dedicated and the sermon was 
preached by one Mr. Isaac Richardson, then of Woburn, from these words, 
viz.: the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the glory of the 
former house saith the Lord of Hosts and in this place will I give peace saith 
the Lord of Hosts. 

After the meeting house was built the settlers began to come in, and in 
the year 1742 w r e settled the Rev’d Elisha Marsh in the work of the gospel 
ministry, and began to multiply, but soon war broke out between England 
and France, which greatly discouraged and retarded the settlement of the 
township. The Indians made havoc and war upon the new settlements, 
killed and captured some of the inhabitants in the western towns, drove 
off others and the General Court ordered forts to be built in this plantation. 
Ten forts were built and part of the inhabitants were put under pay as a 
town scout, and guard soldiers were stationed here, and the Indians were 
amongst us and attempted to captivate one William Bowman, but he made 
his escape. Thus surrounded with difficulties and discouragements the 
plantation multiplied but slowly till the return of peace, after which the town 
began to flourish. 

After the ordination of Mr. Marsh the Church proceeded to organize itself 
with officers' and chose my Hon d Father the first and Joseph Miller the 
second Deacons, who served in said offices till their deaths put an end to their 
services. 

My Hon d Father advancing in age became unable to labor either for his 
own, or family’s support, and his two eldest sons having settlements of their 
own, it became necessary that one of his sons should come forward to his 
assistance, and I, the writer of these lines, not having any settlement of my 
own, and he, desirous of my coming onto his farm, finally concluded to 
undertake with him, tho’ attended with some very disagreeable circumstances 
which are not necessary to mention. 

I continued with him seven years in a single life, till I was twenty-eight 
years old. My father’s increasing years, with the increasing infirmity of 
body, finally put an end to his life on the 30th day of November in the eve¬ 
ning in the year A. D., 1768, and that without any other sickness than 
natural decline of life. He left the world without a single struggle or groan, 
and we most heartily to mourn his loss which I believe was his gain. 

Heyward, the historian of Westminster, considered Joseph Holden 
“for some time the most active, influential, and important inhabi- 


94 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


tant of the township. By him were its primary features largely 
shaped, and to him, more than any other, was the success attending 
its founding and early growth due. . . . He was often called upon 
to represent the resident proprietors on important occasions at 
Boston and elsewhere, and was repeatedly elected to positions of 
responsibility and trust. When the church was founded he was 
chosen the first deacon ... a man whose character was above 
reproach, and whose reputation was without a stain.” 

The Boston Chronicle of 30 Jan., 1769, notes his death and that 
his family was the second family which moved into Westminster, 
and that he left “one brother alive, above 90 years old; his oldest 
brother died about two years since, about 91 years old; and his 
youngest sister died about a year since, above 80 years old. ” 

Administration on the estate of Joseph Holden was granted 13 
March, 1769, to Stephen Holden of Westminster, the widow Elizabeth 
having declined administration 9 March. The inventory disclosed a 
total estate of £282-12-4, of which £247 was real estate consisting 
of a house and thirty acres land, east end of barn and one-half the 
house lot, except one acre; valued at £190; one quarter of a saw-mill 
£20; five acres on Brattles’ stream, £2; one half right No. 53, except 
the house lot, £35-14-4. The interest in the saw-mill and part of 
the house lot (26 acres) and one half a second division of lot 6 (30 
acres) and 15 acres of the third division of lot 3 was sold to Abner 
Holden. 1 

There are numerous deeds of record in Middlesex and Worcester 
to which Joseph Holden was a party. The following conveyances are 
of especial interest: 

Joseph Holden of Watertown, husbandman, for £30 current money of 
the Province, to Isaac Holden of Cambridge, husbandman, 6 acres more or 
less, part of the Holden farm in Cambridge, bounded west by land of said 
Joseph Holden, north by Samuel Holden, east and south by Isaac Holden, 
18 Dec., 1712. 

Joseph Holden of Watertown, yeoman, for £25 to William Shattuck, Jr., 
of Watertown, weaver, 5 acres in Cambridge, bounded easterly by a brook 
leading out of Fresh Pond, west by meadow of Isaac Holden, northerly by 
meadow of said Joseph Holden, and south by meadow of Solomon Prentice. 
Wife Abigail. 31 Dec., 1716. 

Joseph Holden of Watertown, yeoman, for £52, to Isaac Holden of Cam¬ 
bridge, yeoman, 10 acres meadow, formerly his father Justinian Holden’s 
bounds on brook, lands of Stratton, Prentice, etc. 25 March, 1719. 

Joseph Holden of Watertown, yeoman, to Henry Prentice of Cambridge, 
yeoman, for £800, 40 acres, partly in Watertown and partly in Cambridge, 

1 Worcester probate, 30: 217. 


SECOND GENERATION 


95 


bounded northerly on said Henry Prentice, westerly on a highway and land 
in possession of Martha Coolledge, southerly on a highway and land of 
Martha Coolledge, and every other way by Fresh Pond, so called — also 
20 acres in Cambridge, bounded northerly by Nathaniel Cooledge and 
Capt. Ephraim Frost, westerly and southerly by Isaac Holden and a high¬ 
way near Watertown line, and easterly on said Isaac Holden, also 5 acres 
in Cambridge, bounded north by a brook, westerly by John Cooledge, 
southerly by Isaac Holden, and easterly by Henry Holden — also 1 acre 
in Cambridge, bounded northerly by Widow Stratton, westerly by Pout 
Pond, southerly by said Henry Prentice, easterly by Ebenezer Chenery, 
with all buildings on either of them, also Cow Commons or right in undivided 
land in Watertown. 23 Dec., 1735. Wife Elizabeth releases dower. 


THIRD GENERATION 


122 James (. Justinian , Richard ), born in 1685; died 1766, in 
Rutland District; married 17 Feb., 1708-9, at Charlestown, Hannah 
Adams , 1 (“both of Cambridge”), who died in 1769. 

James Holden of Worcester, gentleman, and wife Hannah, and 
Charles Adams of Worcester, husbandman, sell their share in estate 
of deceased brother Aaron Adams to brother Thomas Adams of 
Worcester, for £160, 2 April, 1734. 2 
Children: 3 

1 Hannah, baptized 18 Dec., 1709, at Cambridge, her father having 
owned the Covenant the same day; died 23 Feb., 1729-30, at 
Worcester. 

2- 2 James, born 2 Aug., 1711, at Charlestown; baptized 18 Nov., 1711, 

at Cambridge; died in the army, 1741; married Susanna Hall. 

3- 3 Daniel, born 7 Oct., 1713; died 1755; married Rachel Richardson. 
4 Mary, born 11 Feb., 1719, at Worcester; married 9 March, 1742, at 

Worcester, Israel Green, son of William and Sarah (Sprague) 
Green, born 10 April, 1720, at Leicester, died at Hubbardston, 
between 1787 and 1792. After residing at Leicester some years, he 
removed to Petersham about 1750; thence to Hubbardston, prior 
to 1767. He was a prominent citizen, serving the town as moder¬ 
ator, selectman, assessor, constable. 

Children : 4 

1. Lucy Green, born 29 Nov., 1743, at Leicester. 

2. Mary Green, born 19 May, 1745; died 16 June, 1832, at Stone- 

ham, aged 87 ( g.s .); married 21 March, 1771, Thomas Vinton 
of Stoneham. 

3. Dolly Green, born 5 March, 1747; died 6 June, 1826, at Hub¬ 

bardston, unmarried. 

4. James Green, born about 1750 at Petersham. He was a “min¬ 

ute-man,” was wounded at Bunker Hill, and died soon after. 

5. Nathan Green, born about 1752; died 26 June, 1778, killed in 

action at Monmouth, N. J. He was at Bunker Hill, and had 
been promoted lieutenant shortly before his death. 

6. Zeeb Green, born 11 Nov., 1754; died 1 July, 1821, at Brandon, 

Vt., married about 1779 Sarah Cowee, born 12 Oct., 1759, 
died 24 March, 1840, at Pittsford, Vt., daughter of James 
Cowee of Westminster. He was in the battles of Bunker Hill, 
V hite Plains, Bennington, and Saratoga, and in the campaign 
in New Jersey. About 1781 he removed to Chittenden, and in 
1811 to Brandon. 

1 Cambridge records Worcester Deeds, 5:59. 3 Town and church records. 

4 r. A. Holden Ms. 


96 


THIRD GENERATION 


97 


5- 5 

6 - 6 

7 


8 

9-9 


i. Lucas Green, born about 1757; killed at Bunker Hill, 17 June, 
1775, dying in his brother Zeeb’s arms. He had been in the 
engagement at Lexington. 

Josiah, born 24 July, 1721; died 2 Jan., 1777; married Abigail Bond. 
Thomas, born 26 Oct., 1723; died later than 1790; married Ruth 
Baker. 


Abigail, born 5 May, 1726; died 8 March, 1814, at Barre; married 
21 March, 1750-1, at Hardwick, Josiah Bacon, 1 born 11 Feb., 
1719, killed 17 June, 1775, at Bunker Hill. 2 See under 1225. Admin¬ 
istration on his estate 20 Feb., 1776, to Josiah Holden (1225) and 
Solomon Bacon. 

Children, born at Barre:* 

1. Solomon Bacon, born 13 Sept., 1751. 

2. Josiah Bacon, born 11 July, 1753. 

3. Hannah Bacon, born 10 July, 1755. 

4. Sarah Bacon, born 9 Aug., 1757; died young. 

5. Abigail Bacon, born 13 Feb., 1760; a minor in 1776. 

6. John Bacon, born 6 June, 1762; died young. 

7. Mary Bacon, born 23 May, 1765. 

8. Reuben Bacon, born 2 Oct., 1767; died young. 

Keziaii, born 15 Aug., 1729; not living 1763. 

Aaron, born 26 Jan., 1731-2; died 30 Sept., 1802; married Anna 

Clark. He was executor of his father’s will. 


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James Holden was early left dependent upon his own resources. 
His father’s estate was small and could not have yielded much for 
the children. James Holden aged about fifteen, son of Justinian 
Holden, housewright, late of Cambridge, since of Woburn, deceased, 
chose his “loving kinsman John Williams” of Cambridge, husband¬ 
man, his guardian, and this choice was allowed 17 March, 1700. 4 
This record is the only proof of his parentage. 

John Williams was the son of Mary, daughter of Richard Holden, 
and therefore a cousin of James, but several years older, having been 
born in 1668. John Williams lived in Charlestown as late as 1722, 
but later was of Groton. 

James Holden resided probably in both Charlestown and Cam¬ 
bridge before his removal to Worcester, where he acquired lands, 
and for many years his name either as grantee or grantor frequently 
appears in the Worcester Deeds. In March, 1707-8, a James Holden 
was discharged on parole by the Middlesex County Court, his offence 
not being stated. His name does not again occur in Middlesex County 
records, except on the occasion of a suit instituted by him to recover 
from John Stearns of Worcester on a bond of £25, dated 30 March, 
1724. This case was tried in December, 1725, and Holden won his 
suit. He was then of Worcester, “yeoman.” 

1 Paige: History of Hardwick and Hardwick Vital Records. 2 Papers of Austin W. Holden. 

3 Town records. 4 Middlesex Probate Records, 10:274, also file 12,295. 




98 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Lincoln in “History of Worcester,” says that more favorable 
prospects having opened in 1713, the proprietors, undiscouraged by 
former failure, attempted to rebuild the town. Their petition to the 
General Court for encouragement was granted, and in June, 1714, 
a report was presented which arranged for the adjustment of the 
claims of former settlers and other matters. By 1718 a number of 
settlements had been made, and that year a list of inhabitants who 
had accomplished the conditions of their grants was made up, which 
has unfortunately been lost. 

It is known from a deed that James Holden lived in Worcester in 
1716. 1 The fact that his last child recorded at Cambridge was bap¬ 
tized in November, 1711, indicates that he was one of the first to 
take up residence in Worcester under the reorganization of the 
settlement. He had an “original right” in the township. 

He was chosen tythingman at the first town meeting held in 
Worcester, 1722, and served as selectman, 1725, 1729, 1730, 1733, 
and 1736. 

The historian of Barre in the History of Worcester County, 1:256, 
writing of the early settlers says: “The earliest settler was Joshua 
Osgood, in 1726: a little later came two important and influential 
settlers from Worcester, Jothan Rice and James Holden. James 
Holden was evidently a man of character and weight, since he was 
one of the selectmen of Worcester before his removal to the ‘North¬ 
west Quarter. ’ His descendants have been highly respectable. 
Josiah his son was father of James and Moses who were active and 
energetic citizens.” 

Worcester County was established 2 April, 1731, out of parts of 
Middlesex, Suffolk, and Hampshire, the town of Worcester having 
previously been in Middlesex County. The name of James Holden 
is found on the list of the Grand Jury in 1732 and 1733 and as a 
juror in 1734. 

Janies and Samuel Holden of Worcester were partners in a land 
grant of 1740. 2 

In 1723 and the years immediately following, the inhabitants of 
Worcester, then embracing a much wider territory than now, suffered 
great apprehensions of Indian raids, and the selectmen for those 
years, of whom James Holden was one, were active in obtaining 
protection from the provincial authorities. Some idea of the situa¬ 
tion of the settlers in this vicinity may be had by reading Mr. F. E. 
Blake’s “Rutland and the Indian troubles of 1723-30.” 

In a roll dated at Worcester, 16 Jan., 1747-8, signed by James 
Holden, is the record of his service from 28 April, 1747 until 26 Octo- 

1 James Holdio of Worcester, husbandman, for £7, sells to Nathaniel Jones of Weston, yeoman, 4 acres 
in Worcester, part of tract on which said Holdin now dwells, at the southwesterly end of it, etc. Wife 
Hannah consents. 30 Nov., 1716. Middlesex Deeds, 21:212. 

* Worcester Deeds, 50:197. 


THIRD GENERATION 


99 


ber, 1747, as sergeant in command of a detachment doing duty at 
New Rutland. 1 I he attestation and endorsement of this roll describes 
him as Captain. ” There is also the record of enlistment of James 
Holding 16 Dec., 1747, serving until 9 March, 1747-8, as centinel in 
company of Captain Phineas Stevens, posted at No. 4 (Charlestown, 
N. H.). 2 Probably this latter record relates to James Holden of 
Framingham. 

James Elolden is styled “Capt. ” and ‘‘of Rutland District, gentle¬ 
man.” His will dated ‘‘1763,” presented 3 Dec., 1766, was allowed 
23 Dec., 1766, at Worcester. He gave to his wife Hannah all house¬ 
hold goods and west end of his dwelling house for life, as well as the 
profits of his messuage, ploughing land, mowing land, etc. 

To grandson John Holden, only surviving son of eldest son, James 
Holden, deceased, 10 shillings which, with what his father had, to be 
his share; to grandson Jeduthan Holden, eldest son of son Daniel 
Holden, deceased, £1-10, and to the other children of said son Daniel 
Holden, viz: — Rachel, Daniel, Martha, Katherine, Nathan, James, 
each 10 shillings, as they come to age, — their father having had his 
portion. 

To son Josiah Holden, £10-13-4, he having had part of his portion. 

To son Thomas Holden, £15. 

To daughter Mary, wife of Israel Green, £10-13-4, and to daughter 
Abigail, wife of Josiah Bacon, £10-13-4, they having had part of 
their portion. 

To son Aaron Holden, all the real estate, viz: — the half part 
of the farm on which the testator now dwells, 55 acres more or less 
(the other half formerly conveyed to said Aaron Holden, by deed 
of gift) and half of buildings, etc. The testator’s wife to have one- 
half the produce during her life, and Aaron is ordered to till the land 
and deliver her share to her. Aaron Holden is named executor. 

Agreement to will is signed by Hannah Holden, Josiah Bacon, 
Israel Green, Jeduthan Holden. 

Inventory: real estate £200; personal estate small. 

Administration was granted on the estate of Hannah Holden, 
widow, to Aaron Holden, who gave bond, with John Black and 
Benony Shurtleff, all of Rutland, 19 August, 1769. 

124 Ebenezer (, Justinian , Richard ), born 11 May, 1690, at 
Woburn; died 1756, in the army, probably at Fort Edward; 3 married 
5 Feb., 1712-13, at Cambridge, 4 Elizabeth Read, “of Charlestown,” 
his cousin, born 25 Feb., 1689-90, at Woburn, 4 daughter of John 
and Elizabeth (Holden) Read. 

“Elizabeth Holden with her two children” at the house of Ralph 
Reed, warned by selectmen of Woburn, 4 Aug., 1719. The constable 

i Archives, 92:69. 2 Ibid, 92:85. 3 Archives, 95:142. 4 Town records. 


> 

1 > 


> > 
' t 4 


100 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


endorsed the writ; “She informed me she came from Lebanon, and 
is an inhabitant there, and came to Woburn in June, last. ’ n Elizabeth 
Holden from Windham in May last warned from Woburn, 29 Aug., 
1727. 1 The church manual of the church at W indham lists among 
the members there prior to 1725, “Elizabeth Holden/' 2 

Children: 

1-1 Ebenezer, born probably in 1713; died 1780; married Sybil. 

2 Elizabeth, probably the second of the two children living in August, 
1719. 

3-3 Jabez, born 7 Sept., 1721, at Windham, Conn.; 3 died 24 Feb., 1798; 
married Rebecca Ward. 

4 W T illiam, born 5 Sept., 1723, at W indham. 3 No further trace. 

5 Benjamin, born 5 May, 1725, at Windham; 3 married 3 Feb., 1757, at 

Scotland, Conn., 4 Rebekkah Lille. Served in 1755 and 1756, in 
1st Conn, regiment; from April to Nov., 1758, in 3d R’g’t and 30 
June, 1759, was one of the men who had “not joined” the 4th 
R’g’t at Lake George. 5 

6 Joseph, twin with Benjamin; 3 probably died young. 

Ebenezer Holden was described as “of Charlestown” at the time 
of his marriage. He was one of the Massachusetts men attracted to 
the new townships opened to settlement in eastern Connecticut, 
and lived in both Lebanon and W indham, but returned to Massa¬ 
chusetts, and in 1740 was described as “of Ivingsfield, 6 in the county 
of Hampshire.” On the 7 March, 1740-1, he was living on “Air. 
Read’s farm, Hampshire county," 7 and on the 16 Jan., following, 
describing himself as of Hardwick, blacksmith, sold as “heir,” one 
third of the grant by Watertown to Samuel Freeman in 1640, being 
35 acres of upland, a great divident in the second division and 
27th lot. 8 

On the 5 Oct., 1744, an execution was issued in favor of Joseph 
Brooks of Ware River, against Ebenezer Holden “of a place called 
Bedford.” 7 

Soon after 1713 the Province of Connecticut transferred to John 
Read, at less than a farthing an acre ten thousand acres in the 
western portion of what is now Ware. These were part of the Equiva¬ 
lent lands granted Connecticut in return for abandoning claims to 
certain towns on the Connecticut, including Enfield and Suffield, 
now, however, part of that state. About 1725 a settlement was made 

1 Middlesex Sessions files. The town clerk reported that the name Holden did not appear on Lebanon 
records. Ralph Reed was elder brother of Elizabeth Holden, and was born 5 Sept., 1686. 

2 It should be noted that there was an Elizabeth Holden, who as daughter of Joseph Lewis of Simsbury, 
deceased, sold land 24 Nov., 1715, to Gillett and Abigail Adams, which she had as part of her father’s 
estate. Abigail Adams administered on the estate of John Lewis of Simsbury, a brother of Elizabeth. 
(Hinman Ms., N. E. Hist. Geneal. Soc.) Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary (Humphrey) Lewis, born 
6 March, 1681, at Windsor, had sister Sarah and brother John. John Lewis, father of Elizabeth, died 1713. 
There is no record of the marriage of Elizabeth, and the identity of this Elizabeth Holden remains obscure' 

3 Hinman Ms., quoting town records. ‘Bailey: Connecticut Marriages. 

6 Connecticut military rolls, Conn. Hist. Society. 

3 Now Palmer, at one time called the Elbows. 2 Hampshire Sessions and Common Pleas 

8 Middlesex Deeds, 69:509. See Watertown records, 1:60. 


< 

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< «• 

C « * 


THIRD GENERATION 


101 


at what was afterward designated as Lambstown (1732), and incor¬ 
porated in 1738 as Hardwick. Read’s farm was in part the northern 
boundary of the territory set off as Palmer. Prior to 1740 the num¬ 
ber of settlers in this territory was few, their means of communica¬ 
tion slight, nor were they capable of supporting independent church 
and town government. Records are therefore scanty. Ebenezer 
Holden probably settled upon the ten thousand acre tract of Read, 
and for purpose of identification was styled of Hardwick, though he 
seems to have had no connection with that town. Probably in 1742 
or 1743 he settled in the District of Bedford, seventeen miles south¬ 
west of Springfield, incorporated as Granville in 1754, where the first 
settlement seems to have been made about 1735. 

There is a return dated 20 Dec., 1750, 1 by a committee representing 
the proprietors, in compliance with the act passed 20 June, 1750, 
of persons admitted inhabitants in the District of Bedford. The 
return lists seventy-six, of whom the first was Rev. Moses Tuttle, 
the second Mr. Daniel Brown, the seventh Ebenezer Holden, the 
nineteenth Ebenezer Holden, Jr. 

The name of Ebenezer Holden, appears on the pay roll of a com¬ 
pany commanded by Captain Thomas Cheney, in the regiment com¬ 
manded by General Dwight, raised in Massachusetts in 1746, for 
the expedition against Canada, which was dismissed 31 Oct., 1747. 2 

Ebenezer Holden of Westfield enlisted as private 22 April, 1756, 
and served until 1 Oct., 1756, in company commanded by Captain 
John Mosely in the Crown Point expedition. Entered as “ aged 56, 
born in Oborn (i. e. Woburn), residence Granvale,” joined from 
Captain Ashley’s company. Colonel John Worthanton’s regiment, 
from town of Granvale. In camp at Fort Edward 26 July, 1756, 
“took Handel’s place,” allowed 10 days travel and fifteen days sub¬ 
sistence while making up roll, and is charged 12 shillings for his gun. 
Also allowed 9 shillings, 6 pence for subsistence from Westfield, 
95 miles. His name appears on a roll of Captain Mosely’s company, 
Colonel Joseph Dwight’s regiment, dated 11 Oct., 1756, at Fort 
William Henry with the word “dead” against it. 3 

The age of Ebenezer Holden in the above enlistment roll is given 
as 56 years (he was actually 66 years of age), but as there is 
no other Ebenezer contemporary with the son of Justinian; and as 
Ebenezer son of Justinian is the only one of that name known to 
have been born in Woburn, there is no doubt as to the identity of the 
soldier. 

163 Joseph ( Samuel , Richard ), born not later than 1695, proba¬ 
bly in Woburn; died between 1743 and 1747, at Stoneham; married 

i Archives, 115:756. 2 N. E. Hist. Geneal. Register, 50:72. 

3 Archives, 95:143; 94:323, 423, 550. 


102 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


prior to 1718, Naomi Howe, born 22 April, 1701, 1 probably at 
Charlestown End (Stoneham), died later than 1742, daughter of 
Isaac and Deborah (Howe) Howe of Stoneham. Isaac Howe, who 
was formerly of Roxbury, left a will dated 27 Jan., 1717-8, by which 
Naomi Holden, his daughter, is to be paid £10 by her brother John, 
after the decease of her husband. Among the papers concerning the 
estate is a bond of John Gould of Watertown, father-in-law of John 
Howe, reciting that Isaac Howe bequeathed to his son John, a minor, 
certain land, and Jacob Howe, the executor, refuses to give possession 
to John Howe, Jr., lest the legacy of £10, payable to Naomi Holden 
by John Howe on the death of her husband be imperiled. 

Children: 

1-1 Benjamin, born about 1718; baptized 21 May, 1721; 2 died 1790; 
married Abigail How; (2) Sarah Gallot. 

2 James, born about 1720; baptized 28 March, 1725; 2 apparently living 
1789; married 25 Aug., 1748, at Framingham, Abigail Arthur, 
born 8 May, 1722, daughter of John and Abigail Arthur. James 
Holden of Framingham married Mrs. Grace Dwinnell, (inten¬ 
tion 25 Aug., 1759, at Ipswich). 3 James Holden “resident in 
Ipswich” and Rebecca Ireland were married 5 Feb., 1760, at 
Linebrook parish. James Holden was probably at one time a mem¬ 
ber of the family of his brother Joseph, who lived in Linebrook 
parish, but in 1783 had his own house in Boxford. Undoubtedly 
the above marriage items pertain to the same man. His name 
occurs on a list of men between the ages of 16 and 60 composing the 
Alarm List of the company of Colonel Buckminster, dated 26 April, 
1757. 4 Probably the following record relates to this James Holden: 
Enlisted as centinel 16 Dec., 1747, in service 9 March, 1748, com¬ 
pany roll of Captain Phineas Stevens at No. 4 (Charlestown, N. FI.). 5 
Temple, the historian of Framingham, says of James Holden that 
his name appears on the alarm list of Captain Jere Belknap, 26 
April, 1759; that he was living in Framingham in 1789; that he 
was born in Stoneham, bound as an apprentice to “J. S. ” of 
Reading, and in 1748 came to Framingham, where he lived near 
the Ebenezer Warren place, and becoming poor the town had law 
suits with the towns of Reading and Stoneham concerning his 
support. 25 Sept., 1766, he was found in Boston and described by 
the constable whose duty it was to warn strangers, as “last from 
Framingham, a blind man and in years. He looks very poor. He 
came to town yesterday. He could not tell where he lodged.” 6 
James Holden with “wife” and Naomi Holden, last from Stoneham, 
were warned from Reading, 15 May, 1781. He w r as in ill health, 
25 Sept., 1775, and received aid from Stoneham, where he was then 
living. 

1 Probab’y on authority of Abiel Holden. 

2 Congregational church records, Wakefield, formerly South Reading. 

* Grace Dwinnell was probably widow of Zecherias Dwinnell, published 30 July, 1743, at Ipswich to 
Grace Ireland. Grace, daughter of Benjamin Ireland, baptized 13 Aug., 1721; Rebecca her sister baptized 
7 Oct., 1722, both at Hamlet Parish, Ipswich. 

4 Archives, 95:315. 6 Archives, 92: 69, 85. 6 Suffolk files, 87,106. 


THIRD GENERATION 


103 


3-3 Joseph, born about 1725; living 1791; married Mary Candage, 

4 Timothy, baptized 4 June, 1732, at Stoneham; died 1756 in the army; 

married 11 March, 1755, at Sudbury, 1 Susanna Briggs. He was 
of Reading. Stoneham was allowed to warn Timothy Holden and 
Susannah his wife, 9 March, 1756. 

Timothy Holden enlisted 22 March, 1756, in company com¬ 
manded by Captain William Peabody, Colonel Plaisted’s regiment. 
He was reported sick at Albany 11 Oct., and on roll dated 12 Oct. 
reported “dead.” On 13 Aug. he had been reported sick in camp, 
“aged 23, born in Stoneham, cooper.” On one roll his residence is 
given Methuen, on another Framingham. He enlisted out of 
Captain Hay’s company, Brattle’s regiment, w’hich was a Stoneham 
company. 2 

Administration on estate of Timothy Holden, late of Framing¬ 
ham, granted to Cornelius Woodman, of Sudbury, 14 Feb., 1757. 
The deceased is called of Sudbury in commission for inventory, 
which was taken 14 July, 1757, where he is described as “late of 
Framingham.” This inventory discloses wages due him £10-13-8, 
and total £11-9-6, with no real estate. The administrator in account 
rendered 5 Dec., 1757, charges for a journey to Boston to get the 
deceased’s wages, to paid James Holden £3-10-8, and to widow 
for her privilege, £2-14-11 1-2. 3 

5 Nathan, baptized 9 March, 1734-5, at Stoneham; 4 died prior to 

August 13, 1756, in the army, when on the roll of Captain Peabody’s 
company he is reported “dead.” He enlisted from Captain Hay’s 
company, Colonel Brattle’s regiment, 22 April, 1756, described as 
aged 21, a native and resident of Stoneham. He is also reported as 
of Framingham, aged 21, laborer, born in Stoneham, mustered into 
the company of Captain William Peabody, Colonel Plaisted’s 
regiment, for the expedition against Crown Point. He was at Fort 
William Henry. 5 His will dated 11 May, 1756, was proved 8 Feb., 
1757, and disposed of a small estate, to which his sister Naomi was 
sole heir. His brothers Benjamin and James acquiesced in the 
settlement. 3 

6 Naomi, baptized 1 Jan., 1737-8, at Stoneham. 4 Naomi Holden 

admitted to Framingham church, 1756 ; 6 dismissed to Stoneham 
church, 1799. Naomi Holden from Framingham warned from 
Stoneham, Sept., 1765. “Mrs.” Naomi Holden and Jonathan 
Houll of Hollis, intention of marriage at Stoneham, 8 April, 1793. 
She is probably the Naomi Holton of Stoneham in the Census of 
1790, head of a family consisting of herself and one male under 
16 years. Betsey (Holden) Dike (1641.6) sent the following verse 
“to Naomi Holden, March 22, 1803,” 

“Oh, do not be discouraged 
Since Jesus is your friend, 

And if you lack for knowledge 

1 Sudbury records. 2 Archives, 94, 198, 289, 393, 395, 484; 95:100. 

3 Middlesex Probate. 4 Stoneham church records. 

6 Archives, 94:198, 395, 484, 506; 95:100. 6 Wyman: Charlestown Estates. 


104 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


He’ll not refuse to lend, 

Neither will he upbraid us 
Tho’ often we request. 

He’ll give you grace and glory 
And take you up to rest. ” 

This may indicate that the marriage with Houll was not consum¬ 
mated. The verse is found in Asa Holden’s Journal. 

Joseph Holden lived on part of the Llolden farm in Stoneham, 
deeded to him by his father. The provision in his father-in-law’s 
will, that not until his death should his wife receive her legacy, 
indicates that as early as 1718, soon after his marriage, he developed 
signs of that lack of responsibility which led the selectmen of Stone- 
ham to declare him non compos mentis , 18 June, 1734. On their 
recommendation Captain John Vinton, a neighbor, was appointed 
his guardian. Vinton filed his bond 1 July, 1734. An inventory of 
the estate taken at this time showed that Joseph Holden possessed 
20 acres bounded east on Samuel Holden, and valued at £160. 
Samuel Sprague was appointed in the place of Vinton on 8 March, 
1735-6, “the said Joseph Holden, his wife, and brother” having 
signified their uneasiness and dissatisfaction wdth Vinton. Samuel 
Holden became surety in £1100 for Sprague. 

The accounts of the guardian throw some light upon contem¬ 
poraneous family happenings: 

Feb., 1739-40, “his part in cash paid for his father’s funeral,” 
£15-5-10. To a legacy paid to Abigail Hadley, £10. Paid his brother 
for nursing him, he being lame, and boarding him. Paid Antony 
Hadley for boarding him. 

28 July, 1742. Paid Jacob How (who had also boarded them in 
1739-40) for keeping Mrs. Holden, her tw r o children, and the cow, 
seven months, £12. Paid Ephraim Latherbee for boarding Joseph 
Holden 32 w r eeks, £3. Paid Dr. Tufts, Dr. Swain. Samuel Holden’s 
wife for making tw r o shirts, 5 sh. Paid Samuel Holden for keeping 
Joseph Holden 30 weeks. The last account was rendered 8 Aug., 
1743. 

Stoneham’s caution against Joseph Holden last from Woburn was 
allowed 11 March, 1739, and Reading’s caution against Joseph 
Holden, last from Stoneham, was allowed 13 Dec., 1743. 1 

164 Samuel ( Samuel , Richard ), born 28 (23 2 ) July, 1699, at 
Stoneham; died there 12 Oct., 1761, aged 62; married 29 Aug., 1728, 
Elizabeth Dix, 3 born 28 April, 1699, 4 died 10 Jan., 1774, “in the 
75th year of her age,” daughter of John and Lydia 2 Dix of Reading. 

1 Records General Sessions, pp. 185, 328. 

2 Asa Holden’s Journal. 

3 See “Ralph and John Dix of Reading,” by Eben Putnam, in The Genealogical Magazine, for March, 

1917, where her ancestry and connections are given. 4 Town records. 


THIRD GENERATION 


105 


Administration on her estate was granted to Samuel Holden, 21 June, 
1774. 

Samuel Holden s own account of his marriage and family was 
copied by his grandson Asa into the latter’s journal, who noted other 
family lecords and matters considered by him worthy of preservation. 
The birth of Mrs. Holden is given 8 May, 1699. The children were 
all living in 1/ 74, and participated in the division of their mother’s 
estate. 1 

Samuel Holden lived on part of the estate formerly his father’s. 
Samuel Holden, Jr., was taxed in the rate for 1726, on both real 
estate and personal property. This was prior to his marriage. Settle¬ 
ment of his estate was effected at the same time that his widow’s 
was settled in 1774. 

Children, born and baptized at Stoneham, 2 of “Samuel and 
Elizabeth”: 

1-1 Samuel, “our first born,” born 2, baptized 12 Oct., 1729; died 
12 March, 1800; married Martha Call. 

2 Elizabeth, born 22, baptized 28 Feb., 1730-1; died 6 Aug., 1775 
(g.s. at Stoneham); married 25 Nov., 1751, at Woburn, 2 Jacob 
Gould of Stoneham, born 14 Oct., 1726, died 14 June, 1801, son 
of David and Elizabeth (Green) Gould. 

Children : 3 

1. Elizabeth Gould, born 2 March, 1752; married 1760, Thomas 

Knight. 

2. Jacob Gould, born 30 March, 1754; murdered 26 Nov., 1819. 

This tragedy was long remembered as the “Stoneham Murder.” 
He and his unmarried brother, David, and a maiden sister, 
Polly, with a maid named Winship, lived in Stoneham. On 
the night of the 25 November, a gang of men broke into the 
house and demanded the money supposed to be kept there by 
the old men. Both attempted to defend themselves, and were 
stabbed by their assailants. David recovered. The story is 
told in Deane’s History of Stoneham. 

3. Thomas Gould, born 2 Oct., 1755; died 15 March, 1756. 

4. Mary Gould, born 18 July, 1757; died 21 Nov., 1836, unmarried. 

5. Lydia Gould, born 17 Nov., 1759. 

6. Thomas Gould, born 27 April, 1761; married 29 Aug., 1790, 

Hannah Hill. 

7. David Gould, born 5 June, 1761; died 6 July, 1834, unmarried. 

8. Nathan Gould, born 20 March, 1768; married 23 April, 1789, 

Abigail Evans of Woburn. 

9. Susanna Gould, born 21 June, 1772; married 11 April, 1793, 

Jesse Convers, born 9 Feb., 1765, son of Josiah and Heph- 
zibah Convers of Woburn. 

1 W. F. Bucknam is responsible for the statement that there was recorded out of place in Stoneham 
records, the birth of Belcher Holden, 1 Oct., 1744, son of Samuel who he also asserted had married as a 
second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard and Ruth (Knight) Belcher. There appears no further trace 
of this supposed child, and certainly Samuel’s wife, Elizabeth Dix, survived him. 

2 Town and church records. 3 F. A. Holden Ms. 


106 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


3 Anna, born 18, baptized 23 June, 1734; died 3 Sept., 1800, unmarried, 

“confined to her bed five years, lived and died a pattern of patience 
and resignation.” 

4 Lydia, born 6 Sept., baptized as “Anna” 7 Sept., 1735; died 14 April, 

1789, of “consumption.” 

5-5 John, born 24, baptized 29 Oct., 1738; died 20 Feb., 1807; married 
Mary Knight. 

6 Dorcas, twin with John, baptized same day; died 13 Oct., 1831, aged 

93 ( g.s .); married David Gould, born 7 July, 1741, died 17 Feb., 
1834, aged 95 (g.s.), son of David and Esther (Green) Gould. 1 
Lived in southeastern part of Stoneham. 

7 Rebecca, born 11, baptized 19 April, 1741; died 9 May, 1790, unmar¬ 

ried, “of the measles.” 

184 John (John, Packard), bom 6 Feb., 1697-8, at Woburn; 2 
died 1756; married 17 Dec., 1724, at Reading, 2 Mary Damon, 
daughter of Thomas and Lucy Ann (Emerson) Damon, and grand¬ 
daughter of Rev. Joseph Emerson of Mendon by his wife, Elizabeth, 
daughter of Rev. Edward Bulkeley. 3 Her gravestone at Woburn 
bears the following inscription; “Here lyes Buried ye Body of M’rs. 
Mary Holdin; wife to Mr. John Holdin Who Departed this Life 
Nov’er ye 2Tst 1749 in ye 49 Y r ear of Her Age. ” 

Children, born at Woburn: 2 

1 Mary, born 3 Jan., 1725-6; baptized 27 Oct., 1728, as “daughter of 

John Holden of Woburn,” at church in Reading, now Wakefield 
Congregational Church; died 17 Dec., 1741. 

2 Phebe, born 9 Oct., 1727; married, 2 12 July, 1750, Edward Geary of 

Lunenburg, born 7 Oct., 1730, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth 
(Damon) Geary. 4 

Children, born at Lunenburg; 2 except the eldest: 

1. Edward Geary, born 2 Sept., 1752, at Woburn. 

2. Phebe Geary, born 30 Sept., 1755. 

3. Mary Geary, born 7 Feb., 1759. 

4. John Geary, born 25 Aug., 1761. 

5. Elizabeth Geary, born 26 Feb., 1764; married 30 Nov., 1789, 

Jonathan Adams. 4 

3 Lucy Ann, over 14 years, April, 1756, when Nathan Richardson was 

appointed her guardian; married 7 Aug., 1759, at South Reading, 
Jonathan Eaton, born 1739, son of Jonathan and Mary (Damon) 
Eaton of Reading. 3 They had descendants in Wakefield. 

4 Jonathan, baptized 1 June, 1729, at Reading, “of Jo Holden of 

Stoneham;” 2 died in youth. 

5 John, born 25 Dec., 1731; died 23 Jan., 1753, aged 21 years, 28 days 

(g.s. at Woburn). 

Very little is known of John Holden. His name appears in the lists 
of tax payers in Woburn from year to year. Perhaps he was that 

1 Giles Memorial, p. 178. 2 Town and church records. 

3 Eaton: History of Reading. She was born 31 Aug., 1701. 

♦Bucknam: Stoneham Families (in Ms.). 


THIRD GENERATION 


107 


John Holden who enlisted 3 June, 1725, and served until the 10 
November of that year as corporal in the company commanded by 
Captain Josiah Willard. 1 His father conveyed the westerly part of 
his farm to him, with the dwelling house thereon, 26 February, 1725, 
acknowledging the same 2 February, 1742-3. 2 

Administration was granted on his estate 19 April, 1756, to Edward 
Geary of Lunenburg. The inventory of his personal estate, taken 
by Jonathan Holden and Nathan Richardson, including several 
notes of hand, amounted to £918-6-6 old tenor. The realty 
consisted of a mansion house and 13 acres, bounding east and 
south on the road, southeast by land late the estate of Timothy 
Richardson, deceased, and northeast and northwest on Jonathan 
Holden, valued at £105-12-0. Also 34 acres and a barn, bounded 
west by Richardson’s River, south by Benjamin Richardson, south¬ 
east by Joseph Knight, Hezekiah Richardson, and Hadley, east 
by road, north by Andrew Evans. Also a wood lot of 8 acres, 
and 30 acres in Lunenburg, called the Brown lot, Also 3% acres 
bought of Samuel Williams, and 3J^ acres bought of David Wyman, 
both bounding on Evans and Jonathan Holden. The whole valued 
at £415-5-0. The estate was divided between the two surviving 
daughters, Lucy Ann being designated as the younger. 

185 Thomas {John, Richard ), born 3 June, 1700, at W r oburn; 3 
died there (28?) July, 1738; 3 married 7 March, 1722-3, at W 7 oburn, 3 
Rebecca Wyman, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (W inn) Wyman. 

Administration on the estate of Thomas Holden was granted to 
his widow Rebecca, 20 Oct., 1738, who gave bond with Jonathan 
Holden and Nathan Richardson. She joined in a deed with her daugh¬ 
ters Rebecca, Sarah and Kezia, all single women, 19 March, 1745, 
in selling to Jonathan Holden 4 a dwelling house and 37^2 acres, partly 
in W 7 oburn and partly in Stoneham. The inventory of the estate, 
dated 11 May, 1739, disclosed a total of £777, of which £657 repre¬ 
sented the real estate. 

Children, born at Wroburn: 3 

1 Rebecca, born 22 Nov., 1723; owned covenant and was baptized at 
Stoneham, 15 July, 1744; married 3 Aug., 1748, “at Boston,” 3 
Nathaniel Tay, probably son of William and Abigail (Jones) 
Tay, born 15 July, 1724, at Woburn, and who died 2 April, 1758, 
at W'oburn. 3 She may have died in 1776, 3 but a Rebecca Tay mar¬ 
ried 21 Oct., 1766, at Woburn, Nathan Pearsons of Wulmington. 
Children, born at Woburn: 3 

1. Ruth Tay, born 2 Jan., 1749. 

2. Lucy Tay, born 15 June, 1753. 

3. Nathaniel Tay, born 15 March, 1755. 

i Archives, 91:190. * Middlesex 5 ee( j s ’ 

8 Town records. 4 Middlesex Deeds, 46:419. 


108 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


2 Sarah, born 13 March, 1724-5; married 26 Aug., 1747, at Stoneham, 

Elisha Knight, born 3 Oct., 1723, at Stoneham, 1 baptized 26 June, 
1724, at Reading; died 19 Aug., 1798, at Stoneham, son of Ebenezer 
and Anna Knight. 3 
Children, born at Stoneham: 1 

1. Thomas Knight, born 26 Jan., 1748-9; married Elizabeth. 

2. Sarah Knight, born 5 June, 1753. 

3. Ruth Knight, born 22 Dec., 1755; married Samuel Ingalls. 3 

4. Amos Knight, born 20 May, 1757. 

5. Anna Knight, born 6 Aug., 1758; married Thomas Greene. 3 

6. Elisha Knight, married Lydia Farnsworth. 3 Probably settled 

in Harvard about 1796. 

3 Kezia, born 26 Dec., 1726; married 30 March, 1748, at Stoneham 1 , 

David Geary of Stoneham, 2 born 27 Nov., 1728, 1 at Stoneham, 
son of Thomas and Abigail (Vinton) Geary. 3 He kept tavern in 
Stoneham; was a soldier in the French War and married (2) Joanna 
(Holden) Brooks (186-2), his first wife’s cousin. 

Children, born at Stoneham: 1 

1. Abigail Gear}'', born 2 April, 1749; married 9 Aug., 1771, John 

Green of Reading. They removed to Blue Hill, Me. 

2. David Geary (Captain), born 3 Sept., 1751; died 17 Mar., 1807; 

married 31 Dec., 1772, Elizabeth Damon; (2) Anna Buck- 
nam; (3) 23 Jan., 1791, Sarah Richardson. He was a soldier 
in the Revolution. 

3. Keziah Geary, born 16 April, 1754; died 13 April, 1847; married 

20 June 1780, Jonas Green, who had served in the Revolu¬ 
tion. 

4. Thomas Geary, born 25 June, 1756; lost at sea or enslaved by 

Turkish pirates. 

5. Rebecca Geary, born 8 Oct., 1758; died 18 Sept., 1818, at Brad¬ 

ford, Vt.; married 21 Nov., 1782, Elisha Newhall. 

6. Reuben Geary, born 17 Nov., 1760; died 12 June, 1786; served 

in the Revolution; married 12 May, 1781, Joanna Oakes of 
Medford. 

7. Joshua Geary, born 2 Dec., 1762; married Martha Newhall 

of Lynnfield. 

8. Jesse Geary, born 8 May, 1765; died young. 

9. William Geary, born 31 March, 1767; living 1857 “aged 92” in 

Ohio; married Margaret Picket of Bradford, Vt. 

10. Daniel Geary, born 3 Nov., 1769; died 12 June, 1796; married 
the widow of his brother Reuben, intention 15 Nov., 1788. 

4 Ruth, 4 born 31 Aug., 1728; died 10 March, 1743, at Woburn; 1 baptized 

19 Dec., 1742, at Stoneham. 

5 Thomas, born 23 Feb., 1730-1; died in infancy. 

6 David, born 15 Sept., 1732; died 31 Dec., 1741, at V’oburn. 1 

7 Thomas, 4 born 31 Dec., 1734; died 4 March, 1743, at Woburn; 1 bap¬ 

tized 19 Dec., 1742, at Stoneham. 

1 Town records. 

2 N. E. Hist. Geneal. Register, 11:346, where some account ot his children appears. 
a W. F. Bucknam papers. 

4 Thomas, Joshua and Ruth, children of widow Rebecca Holden, baptized at Stoneham, 19 Dec., 1742. 


THIRD GENERATION 


109 


8 Joshua, 1 born 22 March, 1736-7; died 4 March, 1743, at Woburn; 
baptized 19 Dec., 1742, at Stoneham. 

Mrs. Holden was born in the house still standing on the Bedford 
road, built probably as early as 1660, and since 1765 known as the 
Maclntire place. The original house faces the south and is one room 
deep from back to front, with the chimney in the center. The western 
room was the hall or kitchen, that is the main living room, the eastern 
room being the parlor, a room which in olden times was nearly always 
provided with a bed. Over these two rooms were the hall chamber 
and kitchen chamber. The summers on the first story run length¬ 
wise, and on the second story across the house, at right angles to 
those below. Over each girt or summer there is a pair of rafters, with 
purlins between them and covered with vertical boarding. 

Although long abandoned except as store rooms, these old chambers 
and rooms in 1905 showed plainly what was once their condition. The 
parlor was never plastered, and there was then no internal boarding or 
wainscot, and the ancient clay and hay filling, which once made the 
wall of the house impervious to cold and wet, had entirely disinte¬ 
grated and dropped down to the sill, leaving the bare stud to which 
the clapboards were nailed. The posts of the house have brackets, 
flare, and all brace from the top downward to the girts at the second 
story level. Such was the typical house of the last half of the 17th 
century, the date of erection of this particular house being about 
1660. It is probably one of the two Wyman houses shown on the 
plan made by Danforth in 1668. 

Not far distant, and to the north of this ancient building, is the 
cellar hole of the Amos Wyman house. There on the 19 April, 1775, 
Nathaniel Hancock and Samuel Adams sought refuge when they 
were forced by the entreaties of anxious friends to leave Lexington. 
The so-called Wyman blockhouse, on the main road to Billerica, 
at the eastern end of the old Wyman road, which connected these 
three places, is of much later date, and the internal evidence does not 
suggest its intended or probable use as a blockhouse. 

John and Francis Wyman, tanners, were among the first settlers 
and substantial townsmen of Woburn. On the 10 May, 1655, a few 
days before the incorporation of Billerica, they purchased of Henry 
Dunster, President of Harvard College, his grant of 500 acres at 
Shaw'shine. This grant was bounded south by land of Captain 
Gookin, north by land granted to Edward Collins, and east by 
Woburn line. The Wymans also possessed 500 acres within the town 
of Woburn, purchased 11 April, 1665. The original grant was to 
Thomas Coitmore and was laid out to the Wymans 15 May, 1667, 
and is described as adjoining their own land, where their houses 

1 Thomas, Joshua and Ruth, children of widow Rebecca Holden, baptized at Stoneham, 19 Dec., 1742. 


110 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


stand, and bounding on the Billerica line. 1 It bounded the Wymans’ 
Billerica estate on the east, and was west of the town lots or com¬ 
mons of the proprietors of Woburn. 

Francis Wyman by will of 5 Sept., 1698, proved 11 Dec., 1699, 
confirmed to his several sons the lands given them. Among these 
sons was Nathaniel. The homestead was given to Benjamin Wyman, 
a son, subject to the improvement by the widow of the east end of 
the house, next to Jacob Wyman’s. These deeds of gift are not on 
record. 

Nathaniel Wyman, son of Francis, died in Woburn, 8 Dec., 1717, 
intestate. He married 28 June, 1692, Mary, daughter of Increase 
Winn, and administration was granted to her. She married 30 Nov., 
1720, John Locke of Woburn. In 1728 a division of the estate was 
made among the children. Increase Wyman, only son, had the 
homestead, and lived there until 1755. To Mary Wyman, non 
compos mentis , a small portion of land was set off on the northeast 
of the home farm. The other children were: Abigail Wyman wife 
of Benjamin Gowing; Ruth Wyman wife of Thomas Gould; Hannah 
Wyman wife of Timothy Wyman; Elizabeth Wyman wife of John 
Geary; Phebe Wyman wife of Thomas Geary; Rebecca Wyman, 
wife of Thomas Holden; Joanna Wyman wife of Jonathan Holden; 
Sarah wife of-Walker; Keziah wife of-Read. 

186 Jonathan ( John, Richard ), born 19 Jan., 1702-3, at 
Woburn; 2 “Air. Holden died 1778,” 2 prior to 2 June, at Woburn, 
leaving a will; married 30 Dec., 1731, at Woburn, Joanna Wyman, 2 
born 25 July, 1705, at Woburn, died there 11 Nov., 1786, “aged 83, ” 2 
daughter of Nathaniel and Alary (Winn) Wyman. 

Children, born at Woburn: 2 

1 Jonathan, born 2 Sept., 1732; died 21 July, 1733. 

2 Joanna, born 26 Feb., 1733-4; died 19 Aug., 1808, at Woburn, aged 

74 ; 3 married (intention 23 June, 1753) Isaac Brooks, born 31 July, 

1729, 3 died 23 Alarch, 1768, at Woburn 2 aged “38 years,” son of 

Nathan and Sarah (Wyman) Brooks. She married (2) David 

Geary 3 of Stoneham, (see 185-3). 

Children, born at Woburn: 2 

1. Joanna Brooks, born 19 Feb., 1755; married 1 Dec., 1774, Jona¬ 

than Kendall, born 1 Sept., 1751, son of Joshua and Esther 
(Buck) Kendall of Woburn. 4 

2. Isaac Brooks, born 16 Aug., 1757; died 20 Dec., 1840, at Amherst, 

N. H.; married 28 Alay, 1791, 3 Abigail Kendrick, who died 
23 Alay, 1826. He was prominent in affairs at Amherst, and 
in the history of that town by Seccomb is to be found their 
portraits, and account of their descendants. 


1 Archives, 39:295. 

2 Town records. 


3 N. E. Hist. Geneal. Register, 58:135, 


4 Ibid, 39:22. 




THIRD GENERATION 


111 


3. Mary Brooks, born 11 Sept., 1765; died G Feb., 1853; married 
prior to 1787, Francis Colburn of Dunstable. She was a 
widow in December of that year, and “warned” by selectmen 
of \\ oburn, when she came to live with her mother. She mar¬ 
ried (2) 22 Jan., 1795, Stephen Cummings of Woburn, died 
12 April, 1804, son of David and Joanna (Jones) Cummings. 2 

3 Jonathan, born 26 May, 1735; died 17 Aug., 1784, at Woburn. 1 

Served as executor of his father’s estate 1781. He is said to have 
been wounded during the Revolution. 3 

4 Abigail, born 10 May, 1737; died 28 Feb., 1761, at Woburn. 1 

5-5 Nathaniel, born 7 May, 1739; died 21 Jan., 1817; married Mary 
Richardson. 

6 Amy, born 22 Dec., 1740; died prior to 1774. 

7 Ruhanna, named in her father’s will; married 10 Sept., 1771, at 

Woburn, 1 Joseph Whittemore of Malden, born there 15 May, 
1731; died there 21 Feb., 1814, aged 83, 1 son of Daniel and Mary 
Whittemore. The “wife of Joseph Whittemore” died 12 March, 
1810, at Malden, 1 “aged 78.” 

Children, born at Malden: 1 

1. Joseph Whittemore, born 31 Jan., 1773. 

2. Jonathan Holden Whittemore, born 10 April, 1776. 

3. Jonathan Whittemore, born 29 March, 1778. 

4. William Whittemore, born 5 Sept., 1781; died 1783. 

5. William Whittemore, born 2 Feb., 1785; died 20 Nov., 1850. 

8 Elizabeth, born 26 Oct., 1742; named in her father’s will. 

9 Ruth, born 20 Nov., 1745; named in her father’s will; “probably” 3 

married (intention at Woburn, 27 Sept., 1767) Seth Snow. 4 

Children: 

1. Seth Snow, born 1768, who married Abigail Griswold. 

2. Anna Snow, married Samuel Perry. 

10 Sarah, named in her father’s will; married 16 April, 1769, at Woburn, 1 
Joseph Knight, Jr., born 1 Oct., 1744, at Stoneham, son of Joseph 
and Sarah (Richardson) Knight. They removed to Harvard about 
1770, where “wddow Sarah Knight” died 3 Dec., 1816, “aged 69.” 

Children r 1 

1. Sarah Knight, born 26 Aug., 1769, at Stoneham. 

2. Jesse Knight, born 26 May, 1770; married 21 Feb., 1803, Sally 

Cleverly, who died 17 April, 1846. 

3. Abigail Knight, born 10 May, 1776, at Harvard; married 1797 

at Lancaster, Tristram Sanborn. 

4. Heman Knight, born 13 Dec., 1780, at Harvard; died 1 July, 

1827 j 1 married (intention 22 May, 1809) Riioda Willard of 
Sterling, who died 24 March, 1815, aged 32; x married (2) 
6 Oct., 1818, Nabby Sprague. 1 

5. Abidan Knight, born 18 Jan., 1782, at Harvard; married 1811, 

Sarah Johnson, who died 14 Jan., 1822, aged 40, at Harvard. 1 

1 Town records. 2 Woburn Deaths, p. 93. 3 R. W. Holden Ms. 

4 George B. Snow of Long Beach, Calif., aged 82 in 1917, is a descendant; also Miss Florence Hurlbert 
of Dunkirk, N. Y. 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


112 

Jonathan Holden received from his father, 25 Feb., 1725, the 
“middle part of the farm,” consisting of 2934 acres, also 234 acres 
of woodland in Stoneham, bounded north by land he had already 
given to his son Thomas and westerly on the Woburn line, reserving 
to his other sons, John and Thomas, a right of way. Jonathan also 
bought of his father, 19 Oct., 1748, 6 acres woodland in Stoneham, 
paying therefor £100 1 and in 1745, purchased the farm of his brother 
John, deceased. In these deeds he is described as husbandman. 

Jonathan Holden of Woburn, “yeoman,” left a will dated 18 
Aug., 1774; proved 2 June, 1778. To his wife Joanna he gave all 
household goods except what was given to son Jonathan as long as 
she remains a widow, also westerly end of my messuage in Woburn, 
containing my house, barn, and certain lands. 

To his son Jonathan he gave a yoke of oxen, “horse chair and 
furniture,” husbandry tools, etc., and provided that he was to pro¬ 
vide his mother with horse and chair at her request, and to attend her 
in person, especially to public worship, — he also was to have the 
use of one-half the western half given his mother and the other half 
on her death or marriage. In case he married and had heirs, he was 
to have the whole of said western half after death of Joanna, but 
if he died without issue the said western half was to pass to Nathaniel. 

The eastern half of said messuage he gave to son Nathaniel, the 
children of daughter Joanna, and to daughters Ruhanna, Elizabeth, 
Ruth, Sarah (the children of daughter Joanna counting as one only), 
equally; those who had not received anything in advance of their 
portion to be first made equal: “Joanna hath had £78, Ruth £28, 
Sarah, £9, and Ruhanna, £15.” The estate was valued at £1275. 

192 Lieutenant John ( Stephen , Richard ), born probably in 
1685, at Groton; died 27 Dec., 1753, at Groton, “in 69th year” ( g.s .); 
married 22 Nov., 1716, at Groton, 2 Sarah Davis, born 22 Sept., 
1694, died 21 Dec., 1753, at Groton, “in 59th year” (g.s.), daughter 
of John and Mehitable (Shedd) Davis. 

John Holden and Sarah Holden, alias Davis, his wife, Eleazer 
Nutting, and Abigail his wife, Benjamin Farnsworth, Jr., and 
Patience his wife, all of Groton, children of John Davis, deceased, 
conveyed 26 acres in Groton to John Pratt, 15 Nov., 1731, late of 
Malden, now of Groton, for £13 and security given for maintenance 
of their mother Mehitable Davis of Groton, set off to her as part of 
her dower . 3 In another deed the same parties, with Lydia Davis, 
spinster, 2 Sept., 1727, conveyed land laid out to the ancient right of 
Samuel Davis. 


1 Middlesex Deeds, 43:318; 53:451. 

2 Groton return, County records. 


3 Middlesex Deeds, 38:60. 


THIRD GENERATION 113 

The wire of John Holden” was admitted to Groton church, 
13 July, 1729. 

AH of the children mentioned below, except John and Lois, joined 
in a deed, 22 April, 1760, conveying 12 acres on the west side of Lan¬ 
caster River. 

Children, born at Groton : 1 

1 Sara, born 5 Sept., 1717; died 5 March, 1798; married 9 June, 1737, 

Samuel Hartwell of Groton, born 30 April, 1702; died 26 May, 
1782, son of John and Sarah (Shepard) Hartwell. 2 
Children : 2 

1. Sarah Hartwell, born 19 March, 1738; died 5 May, 1798, at 

Groton; married 25 May, 1758, at Pepperill, Job Shattuck, 
born 11 Feb., 1736, died 13 Jan., 1819, at Groton. He had an 
honorable record in the American Revolution, responding to 
the Lexington Alarm, and later being commissioned captain. 
He became involved in the proceedings of Daniel Shay, was 
a prominent figure in the insurrection and was tried and 
condemned for treason, 9 May, 1787, but was pardoned by 
Governor Hancock. 

2. Rachel Hartwell, born 19 Dec., 1739; died 16 Aug., 1758. 

3. Daughter, born and died May, 1741. 

4. Priscilla Hartwell, born 20 Feb., 1745; married 9 Sept., 1766, 

James Green, Jr., who died 23 Feb., 1825. 

5. Samuel Hartwell, born 11 July, 1748; died 22 Oct., 1753. 

6. Hannah Hartwell, born 27 Sept., 1751. 

7. Mary Hartwell, born 7 July, 1754; died 2 Oct., 1758. 

8. Levi Hartwell, born 19 Dec., 1758. 

9. Samuel Hartwell, born 7 Aug., 1761; married 15 Aug., 1791, 

Caroline Matilda Wright, born Aug., 1772, daughter of 
David and Prudence (Cummings) Wright. 

2 John, born 15 Oct., 1719; died in lifetime of his father, unmarried. 

Probably the John Holden of Groton who enlisted 15 April, 1748, 
and served to 17 Oct., in company commanded by Captain Edward 
Hartwell, raised in Townsend, Lunenburg, Narragansett No. 2, 
and Leominster. 3 See however, John {John, Justinian) 221. 

3 Rachel, born 13 March, 1722; unmarried 1753; widow of Gould in 

1760; of Shirley. 

4- 4 Caleb, born 1 Feb., 1723-4; died 1795; married Abigail; (2) Mary 

Farley. 

5- 5 Amos, born 16 June, 1726; died 28 March, 1803; married Prudence 

Holden; (2) Sarah Blood. 

6- 6 Isaiah, born 10 Aug., 1728; died Nov., 1811; married Betty Shed. 

7- 7 Nehemiah, born 12 March, 1731; died 1809; married Elizabeth. 

8 Lois, born 2 March, 1732; baptized 18 Nov., 1733; died young. 

9 Hannah, born 24 June, 1735; died 1 Sept., 1773 (in child-bed with 

thirteenth premature child); 4 married 1 Nov., 1753, at Groton, 
Caleb Blood, born 23 Nov., 1734, died 9 Dec., 1804, at Groton, 


1 Town records. 

8 Archives, 92:145. 


2 F. A. Holden Ms., from Shattuck Memorial. 
4 Groton church records. 


114 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


son of John and Joanna (Nutting) Blood. By second wife, Eliza¬ 
beth Farnsworth, he had nine children. 

Children (others who died at birth), born at Groton: 

1. Caleb Blood, born 24 Oct., 1755; died 1828. 

2. Hannah Blood, born 23 Sept., 1757; married 17 March, 1778, at 

Groton, Jonas Taylor. Named in her father’s will. 

3. John Blood, born 6 Sept., 1759. 

4. David Blood, born 8 July, 1762. Objected to his father’s will, 

1805. 

5. Samuel Blood, twin with David. 

J—10 David, born 16 Dec., 1738; died 8 Aug., 1803; married Sarah Hemen- 

way. In probate papers, 1760, described as Daniel, an error. 

John Holden was held captive by the Indians in Canada, ten 
months as told under Stephen Holden (19). John Holden served in 
the campaign against the Indians in 1734, under Captain William 
Tvng, as we learn from the petition of his son Caleb Holden to the 
General Court in 1773, setting forth the above fact and that John 
Holden was consequently entitled to one right in the township 
granted Tyng’s command, which township, upon the establishment 
of the line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, fell in the 
latter province and was lost to the grantees. Caleb was then of 
Deerfield, and named as other heirs, Amos, Isaiah, Nehemiah and 
David Holden, Sarah Hartwell, Rachel Gould and Hannah Blood. 
The General Court by Resolve of June 25, 1773, granted these heirs 
four hundred acres to be laid out in any of the unappropriated lands 
of the province. One hundred and twenty-one acres were laid out to 
them at the northwest corner of grants to Ross and ILezekiah W yman, 
and forty acres in Charlmont, bounding easterly on the river. 
Approval of the plat of the remaining two hundred and thirty-seven 
acres was withheld till further action of the General Court. 1 

Town and probate records, and his gravestone, describe him as 
“lieutenant. ” He was a farmer in Groton. He conveyed to Captain 
Jonas Prescott, 30 Oct., 1723, all right in land laid out by a com¬ 
mittee of the Proprietors 7 Dec., 1721, to a 14% acre right, ten acres 
of which right was originally Christopher Hall's, and the remaining 
4% acres was part of the right of Richard Holden. 2 

John Holden describing himself as “of Groton, gentleman,” made 
his will 25 Dec., 1753; which was probated 11 March, 1754. He 
nominated his son Amos Holden, executor, and gave to his two sons, 
Isaiah and David his homestead between them, — and all the build¬ 
ings between it and lands now claimed by Captain Samuel Tarbell 
and Lieutenant Eleazer Green, and a town way going over the River 
bridge. Also 6 acres of orchard and plow land, and to each a 3 acre 

1 Acts and Resolves, 1773, Chapters 56 and 108. The petition i9 entered under the name of Caleb 
Holder. j Middlesex Deeds, 81:152. 


THIRD GENERATION 


115 


common right. Isaiah to pay his sisters Sarah Hartwell and Rachel 
£6-13-4 each; David, described as “youngest son,” one year after 
he is of age, to pay his sisters Lois Holden and Hannah Blood £6- 
13—4, each. To his son Nehemiah Holden all lands not disposed of 
to sons Caleb and Amos on the west side of Squannacook river, 
about 100 acres. Nehemiah to pay Sarah Hartwell and daughter 
Rachel, and Hannah Blood, each £6-13-8. To eldest son Caleb a 
acre right, which with what he had had was his portion. To son 
Amos 1 red cow, and a 3 acre right, which with what he had had was 
his portion. To daughter Sarah Hartwell, 16 acres by little Cold 
Spring. Stephen Holden was one of the witnesses. 

The inventory of “Lt. John Holden” disclosed real estate, £283; 
personal, £77. The account of the executor contains payment of 
items pertaining to the burial of both John Holden and his widow, 
and the procuring of a double gravestone, which is still standing, 
one of the quaint characteristic memorials of the period. It also 
mentions Jonathan Holden “brother of the deceased.” David 
Holden, aged 14 years, chose Amos Laurance of Groton his guardian, 
5 July, 1755. 

193 Ensign Stephen ( Stephen , Richard ), born about 1690; died 
1757, at Groton; married 2 Sept., 1719, at Groton, 1 Hannah Sawtell, 
born 8 June, 1695, daughter of Obadiah and Hannah Sawtell. Stephen 
Holden and wife were admitted to Groton church 3 March, 1723-4. 
They had previously renewed their baptismal covenant. Stephen 
Holden married, second, 4 July, 1749, at Charlestown, Sarah 
(Russell) Cresse, born 8 Feb., 1716-7, at Lexington, daughter of 
James and Mary Russell, 2 and widow of Jonas Cresse of Charlestown, 
whom she married 28 Aug., 1738, and by whom she had a daughter 
Sarah, who married Jonathan Fish. 2 She was not living when her 
husband made his will, hence may have died when Content was 
born. 

Children, bom at Groton: 3 

1-1 Stephen, born 11 June, 1720; died 22 Feb., 1791; married Sarah 
Wheelock. 

2 Charles, born 22 Oct., 1721; died prior to 1757 (probably prior to 
1752), unmarried. He was one of the proprietors of Charlestown, 
N. H., and in 1743 was one of the fourteen residents there who 
addressed Colonels Willard and Hinsdale, 19 Oct., stating that the 
settlement was much exposed to Indian attack, and requesting 
protection from either Massachusetts or New Hampshire. 4 In 1745 
Charles Holden was at Louisburg in the company of Captain 
Jonathan Smith, in 9th Mass. Rgt. 6 

1 Groton church records. 2 Lexington records, also Wyman’s Charlestown. 

3 Town records. 4 A. H. Provincial Papers, 9:97. 

6 N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., 25:266. See also under 196. 


116 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


3 Hannah, born 30 Sept., 1723; died prior to 1757. 

4-4 Philemon, born 28 Feb., 1725; died 1810; married Lucy Walker. 

5 Jemima, married 17 Sept., 1749, at Shirley, Major John Goffe. 

6 Submit, born 21 Nov., 1729; married 13 Sept., 1759, at Groton, Moses 

Gould, born 4 July, 1732, son of Moses and Mary (Bellows) Gould. 1 
Lived in Shirley and Walpole, N. H., where Submit Gould was 
admitted to the church 17 July, 1774. 

Children, 1 born at Shirley: 

1. Nehemiah Gould, born 27 Jan., 1760. 

2. Moses Gould, born 1 Sept., 1761. 

7-7 Simon, born 1731; died about 1788; married Sarah ; (2) Lois (Lamson) 
Kezer. 

8 Bulah, married 26 Dec., 1753, Benjamin Corey, Jr., of Lunenburg, 

born 15 June, 1731, at Lunenburg, son of Benjamin and Rebecca 

Corey. 2 She married (2) 30 Sept., 1756, at Groton,- Harris. 3 

Child: 

1. Eunice Corey, born 26 April, 1754. 

9 Nathaniel, died 15 May, 1740, at Groton. 

By second marriage: 2 

10 Relief, born 2 April, 1750; 4 married 8 July, 1772, at Townsend, John 
Lawrence, “both of Mason,” N. H. 5 

K-ll Jonas, born 8 Sept., 1751; died 19 April, 1835; married Sarah Read. 
L-12 Ephraim, born 16 Sept., 1753; married Hannah. 

13 Content, born 8 May, 1756. John Lawrence of Mason, N. H., was 
appointed her guardian 13 June, 1774. 6 

Stephen Holden was captured by the Indians in 1698, and released 
at the same time as his father. He was ensign in the company com¬ 
manded by Captain Thomas Tarbell of Groton, which “scouted in 
the woods,” 7-13 July, 1748. 7 In and about 1752 he gave to each of 
his surviving sons by his first marriage lands in Groton and Shirley, 
sufficient to establish themselves. 

He lived in the southwestern corner of the present town of Groton, 
southwest of the Groton School and north of the original Moors farm. 
By will dated 21 Sept., 1757, proved 12 Dec., 1757, he settled upon 
his two youngest sons, Jonas and Ephraim, all his lands and build¬ 
ings, but they were required to pay small legacies to his other sur¬ 
viving children, Stephen, Simon, Philemon, Jemima Goff and Bulah 
Harris, all of whom had had their portions. To daughter Submit the 
household goods which were her mother’s, and to two youngest 
daughters, Relief and Content, the rest of the movables. The prof¬ 
its of the estate were to be used to bring up the four younger children, 
and if either Jonas or Ephraim died, the survivor was to have the 
other's portion. John Page was appointed executor. Joshua Holden 

1 Gould: Gould Genealogy. 2 Town records. 3 Groton church records. 

4 Hannah, daughter of Lefe Holden, baptized 9 July, 1769, and the same day the mother was forgiven 
by the church. (Groton church records.) 

6 History of Townsend. 6 Hillsboro, N. H., probate, 4444. 

7 Archives, 92:156. 



THIRD GENERATION 


117 


was a witness to the will. The inventory disclosed an estate of 
£277-6-8, of which the real estate was £213. Jonathan Lawrence 
was appointed guardian of Jonas and Ephraim, 28 Dec., 1768. 

Jonas Holden, then of Westford, conveyed to Joseph Moors, of 
Groton, 5 Nov., 1772, the homestead of his father, which was 
bounded in part by Moors, easterly, by the road and land of Jabez 
Holden westerly. 1 

194 Nathaniel ( Stephen , Richard ), born 1691 or 1692; died 
15 May, 1740, at Groton, in his forty-ninth year (y.s.); married 
11 Dec., 1718, at Groton, 2 Abigail Stone, died 29 Sept., 1757, in 
66th year ( g.s . at Groton), daughter of Deacon Simon and Sarah 
(Farnsworth) Stone. 3 “Nathaniel Holden and wife” renewed bap¬ 
tismal covenant, 16 Aug., 1719. 2 
Children, born at Groton: 4 

1 Abigail, born 15 Sept., 1719; died 31 Jan., 1762, at Charlestown, 

N. H.; married 14 Jan., 1741-2, Seth Walker, Jr., born 16 Sept., 
1717, died 4 Jan., 1794 (fell from house he was repairing), who 
removed from Shirley to Charlestown, and is said to have been a 
member of the company commanded by Captain Abel Walker in 
1776 and 1777. His second wife, Jemima Farnsworth, by whom he 
had three children, died 22 May, 1807, aged 77. 6 
Children: 5 

1. Nathaniel Walker, born 6 Nov., 1742; died 23 Sept., 1753. 

2. Sybil Walker, born 3 March, 1745. 

3. Seth Walker, born 5 April, 1747. 

4. Abigail Walker, born 10 June, 1750; died 20 May, 1788, at 

Charlestown; married Eliab Gleason. 

5. Asa Walker, born 8 Sept., 1753; died 8 Nov., 1804; married 

Sally; (2) 2 Jan., 1794, Sarah Perry. He was a soldier 
during the Revolution. His grandson Charles Columbus 
Walker, M.C. from New York, was in the quartermaster corps 
in 1861. 

6. Isaac Walker, born 30 March, 1756; died 1785, at Bellows Falls, 

Vt., unmarried. Soldier in the Revolution. 

7. Nathaniel Walker, born 30 March, 1756. Soldier in the Revolu¬ 

tion. 

8. Jabez Walker, born 2 June, 1758; died 20 Feb., 1812; married 

17 Oct., 1790, Anna WAtkins. 

2 Nathaniel, born 2 Oct., 1721; died 30 April, 1740 (g.s.). 

3 Isaac, born 19 Nov., 1723; died 1796 at Townsend; married Sarah. 6 

In 1790 the Census enumerated him at Townsend, being head of 
family of self, one male under sixteen and one female. 

Children: 

1. Sarah, born 19 Jan., 1756; died 21 Sept., 1756. 7 

1 Middlesex Deeds, 79:200. 2 Groton church records. s Farnsworth Memorial. 

4 Butler: History of Groton, and F. A. Holden Ms., Groton records. 

5 Wheeler: History of Charlestown, N. H., and Chandler: History of Shirley. 

8 Middlesex Deeds, 52:454. 7 R. W. Holden Ms. 


118 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


2. Sarah, born 19 Jan., 1759; died 6 March, 1759 ( g.s .). 

Isaac Holden was one of the petitioners for incorporation of 
Shirley in 1747. He was a proprietor of No. 4 (Charlestown, N. H.) 
under the New Hampshire grant, 1753, having previously lived there, 
but on its abandonment in 1746 he and Charles Holden (193-2), 
returned to Groton. He was an innholder at Groton in 1754, 
and that year a grantee of Grafton. In 1757 he bought from his 
brothers and sisters all but one share of their mother’s dower in 
their father’s homestead. His small estate was disposed of by will, 
dated 6 May, 1796, proved 14 June, 1796, equally to Hannah, wife 
of William Manning, and her son Samuel Scripture. The next heirs 
were Captain Asa Holden and the widow of Captain Jabez Holden 
and her son. 1 

Isaac Holden served in the French War as scout in company 
commanded by Captain Thomas Tarbell of Groton, 7-13 July, 
1748. Also from 31 May to 17 Sept., 1754, as corporal in company 
commanded by Captain Humphrey Hobbs, Colonel Winslow’s 
regiment defending the eastern frontiers, and also from 29 Feb., 
to 2 Dec., 1760, in company commanded by Captain Thomas 
Beman, being allowed 60 miles travel home. 2 On a roll dated at 
Annapolis, 28 May, 1755, he appears as sergeant, age given as 
31 years. 3 William Holden, Asa Holden, aged 22, and Jonathan 
Holden, aged 18, were members of the same company. 

He marched from Townsend as a member of the company com¬ 
manded by Samuel Douglas in Colonel James Prescott’s regiment, 
19 April, 1775, and served five days “until the company was ordered 
back to take care of the tories in Townsend.” He was probably 
that Isaac Holden who was commissioned 2d lieutenant, 6 July, 
1780, in the Fitchburg company, commanded by Captain Thomas 
Cowdin, 8th Worcester county regiment militia, and may have 
been that man of the same name who served from 16 June, 1778 to 
25 Jan., 1779, in company commanded by Lieutenant John Flint, 
Colonel Thomas Poor’s regiment, raised to fortify the passes about 
the North River, and was stationed at White Plains, Fort Clinton, 
and West Point. 4 

He was perhaps that Isaac Holden who was of Mason, N. IL, 
1773 and 1774, selling land there, 5 but this may have been No. 2321. 
He was not listed in the valuation of 1770, either at Groton or 
Shirley, or at Ashby, hence he must have disposed of his property 
in Groton prior to that date. 

4 Lydia, born 6 Dec., 1725; died 5 Feb., 1744-5 6 (g.s.). 

5 Mary, born 3 April, 1728; married 13 Dec., 1749, at Groton, Jonathan 

Sawtell, died 12 Aug., 1801. 7 

1 Middlesex Probate. 2 Archives, 92:156; 93:133, 139a; 98:328. 

5 Colonel Winslow’s Journal and muster rolls of the various organizations under his command are in 
possession of Mass. Hist. Soc. Selections were printed by Dr. S. A. Green in Groton during the Indian Wars. 

4 Mass. Revolutionary rolls. 

6 Hillsboro, N. H., Deeds. * See account of administrator of estate. 

7 R. W. Holden Ms., information principally of R. M. Tingley. The Farnsworth Memorial asserts that 
Jonathan Sawtell was son of Ephraim and Abigail (Farnsworth) Sawtell, born 18 Sept., 1729, but the 
F. A. Holden Ms. states that he was son of Hezekiah and Joanna (Wilson) Sawtell, born 6 June. 1724 . 
The former is probably correct. 


THIRD GENERATION 


119 


Children, 1 probably born at Rindge, N. H.: 

1. Jonathan Sawtell, born 31 Jan., 1753; died 29 Dec., 1830, at 

Rindge; married 9 Oct., 1777, Hannah Witcher. 

2. Mary Sawtell, born 15 Sept., 1754, at Rindge. 

3. Joanna Sawtell, born 17 June, 1756; married Abraham 

Wetherbee of Greenfield, Penn. 

4. Abigail Sawtell, born 27 June, 1758; died 25 March, 1835; 

married 24 March, 1778, Joseph Platts; (2) Enos Lake. 

5. Hezekiah Sawtell, born 26 Feb., 1761; died 1 Oct., 1824, at 

Rindge; married 26 Nov., 1782, Sarah Russell; (2) 28 April, 
1818, Lucy Taylor. 

6. Maria Sawtell, born 18 Jan., 1763; married 23 June, 1788, 

Thomas Wetherbee. 

7. Rebecca Sawtell, born 28 Jan., 1765; married 4 Feb., 1796, 

Enoch Day. 

8. Josiah Sawtell, born 24 Nov., 1766; died 1 Oct., 1825, at Rindge; 

married 4 Sept., 1788, Molly Page; (2) Sybil (Howe) 
Stone, widow of Captain Ebenezer Stone. 

6 Prudence, born 26 April, 1730; married Amos Holden (1925). 

7- 7 Asa, born 23 Aug., 1732; died 23 June, 1813; married Dorothy 

Wait; (2) Sybil Lakin. 

8- 8 Jabez, born 12 May, 1735; died 11 Aug., 1787 (g.s. ); married Rachel 

Farnsworth. 

Among the list of grantees of Lunenburg, listed 11 May, 1720, at 
a meeting in Concord, is the name of Nathaniel Holden of Groton. 
The assessment seems to have been £2-10 per right. The grantees 
of “ye South town called Turkey Hills” drew their lots at Concord 
23 May, 1721. Nathaniel Holden had lot 42, and paid in £4-5. 
The committee met sometimes at Holden’s tavern in Concord. 
This tavern was kept by John Holden, one of the proprietors, a 
descendant of Justinian Holden. Lot 42 was a house lot and was 
transferred to John Fiske. Holden also had lot 3. 2 

Nathaniel Holdin and wife Abigail, Simon Stone, Jr., and Benja¬ 
min Stone (with the consent of his father) all of Groton, and 
Stephen Farr and wife Sarah, and Abraham Whitney and wife 
Mary, of town of Stow, and Jacob Chamberlain and wife Susannah, 
of Newtowne convey in 1723 “unto our brother Joseph Stone of 
Groton,” several parcels upland, swamp and meadow in Groton, 
that John Davis lately sold to our brother Isaac Stone now deceased, 
by deed dated 16 Oct., 1721. 

Na thaniel Holden of Groton, yeoman, purchased from John 
Holden, Stephen Holden, William Holden and Jonathan Holden, 
all of Groton, yeomen, Simon Holden of Cambridge, blacksmith, 
William Lund of Dunstable, yeoman, and wife Rachel, William 
Green of Groton, yeoman, and wife Hannah, John Kemp of Groton, 

1 See account of administrator of estate. 2 Lunenburg town records, Vol. I. 


120 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


husbandman, and wife Sarah, for £216 “paid by our brother 
Nathaniel Holden,” all right in a certain parcel of land in Groton, 
being part of the homestead of “our honored father, Stephen Holdin 
late of Groton, deceased, and upon the settlement of the said estate 
set out to our honored mother as part of her dower,” 20 acres, also 
east end dwelling house and 1-3 of barn, — also 3 acres meadow at 
Indian Hill; — also 1-2 acre Common Right. 3 July, 1735. 1 

Administration on the estate of Nathaniel Holden of Groton was 
granted to Abigail Holden, widow, 30 June, 1740, with Ephraim Saw- 
tell, gentleman, and Simon Holden, husbandman, sureties. Account 
of Administratrix 31 June, 1740; — real estate, £971, personal £373. 

In the distribution the east end of dwelling house was set off to 
widow: to Isaac, eldest son, the slate field, 14% acres, and a little 
barn, etc., £84: to Asa, second son, 40 acres, £29: to Jabez, third 
son, west end of dwelling house, £20: to Abigail, eldest daughter, 
£31: to Mary, second daughter, £14-2-6: to Prudence, third daughter 
46 acres, £24. 

Assented to by Abigail Holden, Isaac Holden, Seth Walker, and 
Abigail his wife, Benjamin Bancroft, guardian for Asa, Jabez, Mary, 
and Prudence Holden, 29 April, 1745. 

196 William ( Stephen , Richard ), born probably in Groton; died 
25 Dec., 1745, in the army before Louisburg; married about 1725, 
Elizabeth, who married, second, 20 April, 1747, John Daby (or 
Darby) of Harvard, 2 who died 6 Jan., 1769, at Harvard, aged 80 
years, 11 months ( g.s .). His widow died 9 Sept., 1767, in her 62d 
year (g.s. at Harvard). 

Children, born at Groton: 3 

1 Elizabeth, born 2 July, 1725; baptized 26 Nov., 1727; married 
14 Dec., 1747, Moses Wheeler of Groton, who removed to Charles¬ 
town, N. H. He was in some of the fiercest encounters in the French 
and Indian w T ars, and held the rank of ensign. He participated in 
the celebrated defence of Charlestown under Captain Stevens, 
4 April, 1747, and was with Hobbs in his encounter w T ith Sackett. 
A very large man, though of good proportions, he was said to have 
been the strongest man in the cordon of forts protecting the frontier. 
Having been detailed with five others to take a small cannon to the 
top of Hoosac Mountain, while the others were discussing the means 
to carry out instructions, Wheeler swung the gun onto his shoulder, 
and bore it to the assigned place, pausing once only on the way. 4 
Children: 4 

1. Sarah Wheeler, born 4 Sept., 1748. 

2. Elizabeth Wheeler, born 29 June, 1750; married 6 July, 1768, 

Oliver Farnsworth of Charlestown. 

1 Middlesex Deeds, 37:282. 2 Town records; Middlesex Probate. 3 Town records. 

4 Wheeler: History of Charlestown; where an extended account of his descendants may be found. 


THIRD GENERATION 


121 


3. Moses Wheeler, born 28 June, 1752; married Pamelia Putnam, 

daughter of Ebenezer and Mary Putnam. 

4. Eunice Wheeler, born 3 Oct., 1755; married Jonathan Hubbard. 
5! Lydia Wheeler, born 5 Nov., 1757. 

6. Phebe Wheeler, born 23 Dec., 1760. 

7. Maria Wheeler, born 10 April, 1766. 

8. John, born 31 Oct., 1768; married 1788, Hannah Thurston. 
2-2 William, “eldest son,” born 19 Feb., 1728-9; died 8 Nov., 1807; 

married Annes Nutting. 

3 — 3 Joshua, born 6 beb., 1729—30; died 1 Dec., 1817; married Sarah 
Bigelow; (2) Huldah Simpson; (3) Mrs. Phebe (Austin) Stiles. 
4 Jemima, 1 born 1 July, 1732; 2 died prior to 1776; married 29 June, 1758, 
at Groton, 3 Jonas Green, born 15 March, 1731, son of William and 
Hannah (Holden, 19-J) Green. Jonas Green married (2) Abigail, 
and had in all, nineteen children. 

Children, born at Groton: 3 

1. Betty Green, born 23 Sept., 1760. 

2. Nathaniel Green, born 31 March, 1762. 

3. Jonas Green, twin with Nathaniel; died 2 April, 1762. 

4. Jemima Green, born 4 March, 1764. 

5. Lydia Green, born 19 Oct., 1765. 

6. Jonas Green, born 15 Oct., 1767. 

7. Josiah Green, triplet with Jonas and Reuben. 

8. Reuben Green, triplet; died 17 Oct., 1767. 

9. Abigail Green, born 5 Sept., 1769. 

10. Rachel Green, born 12 July, 1771. 

5- 5 Richard, 1 born 25 Aug., 1734; baptized 1 Sept.; died 1776; married 

Dorothy Adams. 

6- 6 Jonathan, 1 born 25 Aug., 1736; died 19 Nov., 1821; married Hannah 

Woods. 

7 Eunice, born 6 Aug., 1738; 2 married 31 Jan., 1765, at Groton, 3 Joel 

Stone, born 1 May, 1742, at Groton, son of Deacon James and 
Mary (Farwell) Stone. Removed to Harvard. 

Children: 4 

1. Joel Stone, born 30 Oct., 1765, at Groton. 

2. William Stone, born 16 Dec., 1767, at Harvard. 

3. Mille Stone, born 25 May, 1770; died 17 Dec., 1771. 

4. Mille Stone, born 20 June, 1773. 

5. Eunice Stone, born 12 Oct., 1778; died 5 Sept., 1779. 

8 Abigail, born 13 Jan., 1741 ; 2 10 June, 1757, she then being of Har¬ 

vard, Jonathan Symonds was appointed her guardian. Abigail 
Holden and David Allen of Petersham were married 17 Nov., 1757, 
at Harvard. 2 

9 Lydia (Lucy Ann), born 30 March, 1745, 2 Jonathan Moors was 

appointed in June, 1750, guardian of Lydia, Abigail and Eunice. 


William Holden inherited from his father three-fourths of one com- 


1 Minors 5 June, 1750, when they are represented by 
the settlement of their father’s estate. 

2 Town records. 3 Butler: History of Groton. 


their guardians, John and Elizabeth Daby, in 
4 R. W. Holden Ms. 


122 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


mon right in Groton and in the Gore, to which land had been laid 
out prior to 1737. 1 He appears as grantor of land but twice and not 
as a grantee at all. 

William Holden enlisted 30 Aug., 1725, as centinel in company 
commanded by Captain Joseph Blanchard and served until 28 
October, his residence being given as Dunstable. 2 

William Holden was sergeant in the company commanded by 
Captain Jonathan Smith, 9th Mass. Rgt. (Colonel Joseph Dwight) 
in the forces before Louisburg, 1745. Charles Holden (193-2) was a 
member of this company, as were other Groton men. 3 

Dudley Bradstreet in his Journal, kept at the siege of Louisburg, 
notes under date of Christmas (1745): “Died in the Royal Hospital, 
Sergt. Wm. Holden/' 3 

Administration on his estate was granted 13 Sept., 1746, to his 
widow Elizabeth, who accounted for the estate as £800 4 real and 
£359-17-6 4 personal property 13 March, 1748, signing as Elizabeth 
Daby, and on the 1 May, 1750, Elizabeth and John Daby of Harvard 
quitclaim to William Holden, in consideration of £2-2-8, the said 
Elizabeth’s right of dow*er. 

The homestead, in the southwestern corner of the present town 
of Groton, consisting of a house, barn, and 55 acres of land, bounded 
south by Abraham Moors and Jonathan Holden, north by the said 
Jonathan and by Stephen Holden, and two acres of meadow. 

This estate was deeded 22 March, 1750-1, by Isaac Holden to Amos 
Farnsworth of Groton, yeoman, for £203, it being described as the 
homestead of William Holden, deceased, bounding northerly and 
westerly on a town way, southerly by Abraham Moors and on all 
other parts by Stephen and Jonathan Holden, also 2 acres in Rock 
Meadow. 5 

Isaac Holden may have bought the farm from William, the eldest 
son, to whom it had been set off in consideration of his paying £17-5-0 
to each of his brothers and sisters, whose names are given in the fol¬ 
lowing order: Joshua Holden, Richard Holden, Jonathan Holden, 
Elizabeth V\ heeler, Jemima Holden, Eunice Holden, Abigail Holden, 
Lydia Holden, but, though the deed is of record, possession of the 
estate seems to have remained with the Holdens. In the final set¬ 
tlement 5 June, 1750, Joseph Stone appeared as attorney for Moses 
Wheeler husband of Elizabeth Holden. 

197 Simon ( Stephen , Richard ), born about 1700, at Groton; died 
1786 at Charlestown (that part adjoining Arlington, now Winches- 

1 Probate, 8263, settlement of estate of Stephen Holden. 

2 Archives, 91:169. 

3 A. E. Hist. Gen. Reg., 25:266; Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc., 2d series, 11:445. 

4 Old tenor, four times New tenor currency issued to take up the depreciated currency. 

3 Middlesex Deeds, 77:497. 


THIRD GENERATION 


123 


ter); married prior to 18 May, 1736, 1 Abigail Grover, who was living 
in 1 <91, with her daughter Sarah. They owned the covenant in Cam¬ 
bridge church, in order to have their child baptized, 12 Sept., 1736. 

Abigail Grover was probably daughter of Thomas and Bethia 
Grover, of Cambridge, formerly of Reading. Cambridge church 
records note the baptism of several of the children of Thomas Grover, 
but Abigail’s baptism is given in the printed copy as “Abigail, 

daughter of H. Grover,” 23 Aug. 1713. Probably the initial was a 
misreading for T. 

Children: 

1 Elizabeth, baptized 12 Sept., 1736, at Cambridge; died 26 Nov., 

1737, aged 2 years, 29 days ( g.s .). 

2 Simon, born 6 Jan., 1737-8; died 7 May, 1752, aged 16 years, of slow 

fever. 2 

3 Elizabeth, born 15 Sept., 1739; baptized 20 Jan., 1740; died 17 Oct., 

1826; married (intention 7 Jan., 1764, at Charlestown) Jonathan 
Tufts, baptized 25 Feb., 1739; died 26 Sept., 1784, at Medford, 
aged 45 years (g.s. at Medford), son of James and Lydia (Hall) 
Tufts. Mr. Tufts was a brickmaker, and lived in Medford. 
Children: 3 

1. Jonathan Tufts, born 6 May, 1764; died 8 May, 1842; married 

Deborah Bucknam; (2) Susan Ingraham. 

2. Elizabeth Tufts, born 1 Dec., 1765; died 1811; married David 

Parker. 

3. Eleazer Tufts, born 28 Sept., 1767; died 10 Sept., 1787. 

4. Charles Tufts, born 3 May, 1770; died Oct., 1828. 

5. Simon Tufts, baptized 12 Jan., 1773; married. 

6 Ammi Tufts, born Dec., 1773; died 22 Oct., 1854; married Jane; 
(2) Huldah Lee. 

7. John Tufts, born 19 July, 1776; died 16 Aug., 1817; married 

Rebecca (Cutter) Cutler, widow of Thomas Hall. Lived 
at West Cambridge. 

8. Ezekiel Tufts, baptized 10 Oct., 1779; died Feb., 1781. 

9. Ezekiel Tufts, baptized 15, died 22 Oct., 1782. 

10. Amos Tufts, born 18 Dec., 1784; died 5 Jan., 1785. 

4-4 Nathaniel, born 26 July, 1742; baptized 1 Aug., 1742; married 
Margaret Ewin. 

5 Abigail, born in Charlestown, 28 Sept., 1744; baptized 7 Oct., 1744, 4 
died in childbed 29 June, 1773; married 12 Nov., 1772, Ammi 
Cutter, 2 born 4 Nov., 1733. She joined the church at Menotomy 
1 Nov., 1772. Ammi Cutter subsequently married his wife’s 
sister, Hannah Holden. 

6-6 Charles, born 19 June, 1746; “ mariner of Salem” 4 ; d. 1816; married. 
7 Thomas, born 8 May, 1749; 2 of Charlestown; tax abated in 1771 
being taxed in Medford 4 baptized 14 May, 1749; named in will of 
father, 1782. 

1 Sessions records. 2 Parish records in Arlington Vital Records. 3 Information of Dr. Edward C. Booth. 

4 Wyman: Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown. He is not named in his father’s will, but in 1798 joins 
with brothers indeed. See No. 145. Paige in History of Cambridge reports his death as of 5 June, 1768. 


124 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


8 Hannah, born 5 Aug., 1752, 1 baptized 9 Aug.; died 28 Aug., 1801 

(g.s.); married 27 Oct., 1774, at Seabrook, N. H., Ammi Cutter, 
born 4 Nov., 1733; died 19 April, 1795, (g.s.), son of John and 
Lydia (Harrington) Cutter. Seventeen of his twenty-one children 
survived him, and at his death, although but 62 years of age, he 
had 46 living grandchildren. He owned the mill which had long 
been in the Cutter family, and transmitted it to his descendants. 
He was a useful man in his community, enjoyed many town offices, 
and was clerk of the church, in which as chorister he led the music 
for more than thirty years. On the 19th April, 1775, he participated 
in the capture of a convoy of provisions at Menotomy, belonging 
to Lord Percy’s reenforcements. He died of apoplexy. 2 

The legality of his marriage to his deceased wdfe’s sister being 
questioned in Massachusetts, he w T as married in New Hampshire. 
Mrs. Hannah Cutter joined the church at Menotomy, 7 Sept., 1783. 
Children, born at Menotomy (Arlington): 2 

1. Joshua Cutter, born 1 Dec., 1775; died 16 Dec., 1777 (g.s.). 

2. Thomas Cutter, born 1 Nov., 1776; died 25 Nov., 1795. 

3. Joshua Cutter, born 14 March, 1779; died 1819, at New* Orleans; 

married, at Kingston, Jamaica, Sarah Mont. He served on 
the frigate Constitution. 

4. Abigail Cutter, born 20 March, 1781; died 20 Sept., 1855, at 

Westfield; married 3 July, 1802, Dr. Calvin Howe. 

5. Hannah Cutter, born 24 Oct., 1783; died 6 July, 1786. 

6. Rebecca Cutter, born 24 May, 1786; died 19 Dec., 1850; married 

6 Apr., 1807, at Falmouth, Benjamin B. Foster. 

7. Simon Cutter, born 17 April, 1788; died 20 Sept., 1842, at West¬ 

brook, Me.; married 1808, Mrs. Christiana (Dyer) Simon - 
ton. 

8. Hannah Cutter, born 29 July, 1790; died 1 Feb., 1842, at Ashby; 

married April, 1808, Thomas Gibson. 

9. Artemas Cutter, born 16 Aug., 1792; died 22 Nov., 1764, at 

Malden; married 13 June, 1819, Mary Parker; (2) 3 Nov., 
1833, Mrs. Sarah (Eaton) Kidder. 

10. Abiel Cutter, born 17 Aug., 1794; married 11 Dec., 1822, Dorcas 
Elw^ell. 

9 Sarah, born Cambridge, 16 June, 1757, 1 bapt. 19 June, 1757; married 

(intention 19 June, 1791, at Charlestown) Samuel Thomas Smith. 
In 1791, as of Charlestowm, she purchased of her mother two- 
thirds of a house and barn on the road from Menotomy to 
Medford. 3 In 1790 she lived in Charlestown, head of a family of 
three females, probably self, daughter, and mother. By Sawtell 
Holden of Shirley she had Amy, born 18 May, 1776, 4 baptized 
11 Aug., 1776, at Menotomy; married at Cambridge, 17 Jan., 
1796, James Livingston of Boston, whose daughter Amy Sawtell 
Livingston, married John Maldt of Boston, who was aged about 
80 in 1868, and who supplied F. A. Holden with information 

1 Parish records in Arlington Vital Records. 

2 Cutter Genealogy and Supplement. Ammi Cutter’s first wife, Esther Pierce, died 1772, aged 38 years. 

s Middlesex Deeds, 120:310. 4 Middlesex Sessions, also Arlington Vital Records. 


THIRD GENERATION 


125 


concerning this family in 1877. James Livingston died in the West 
Indies, aged 25, in 1798. Sarah Smith, widow of Samuel, died at 
Arlington, 29 May, 1832, aged 75 ( g.s .). 

10 John, of Salem, mariner, joins with brothers Nathaniel and Charles, 
Elizabeth Tufts, widow, J. Flagg and wife, 1 and Hannah Cutter, in 
selling to Sarah Smith house and 16 acres on road Medford to 
Menotomy where their father lived, 1798. 

Simon Holden was assessed in Charlestown in 1720, but his tax 
was abated, also 1727, 1741-8, and 1756-66. In 1728 his residence 
was in the section of Cambridge called Menotomy (now Arlington), 
adjoining Charlestown. He was a blacksmith. In 1728 his mother 
gave him 12 acres of land in Groton, and a five acre right in that 
township. 2 He styled himself of Charlestown in 1729, and in that 
year was granted four acres bounded northeast on Mystic Pond. He 
later bought other land, bounded in part on “Medford lower pond.” 
At the time of his death his estate was inventoried at £90. His will 
dated 29 March, 1782, was proved 8 June, 1786. 

Simon Holden served as centinel in company of Captain Joseph 
Heath, 19 July to 14 Nov., 1722; and from 16 June to 9 Nov., 1725 
at Richmond, in the same company. His residence was given as 
Cambridge. He enlisted 22 Sept., 1747, but was discharged 23 Sep¬ 
tember, company commanded by Captain John Codman. He was 
then described as of Charlestown. 3 


198 Jonathan ( Stephen , Richard ), born 1703, at Groton; died 
13 Sept., 1758, at Groton “aged 55 years,” 4 married 26 April, 1742, 
at Groton, 4 Deborah Houghton. She was probably that Deborah 
Holden who married 12 Jan., 1774, at Groton, 5 John Woods. 
Children, born at Groton: 6 

1-1 Robert, born 5 March, 1743; died 22 June, 1826; married Sarah 
Tille or Tuttle; (2) Mrs. Joanna (Bruce) Whitcomb. 

2 John, born 28 Jan., 1745; died 7 Oct., 1747. 

3 Deborah, born 20 Feb., 1747; died 1 Sept., 1753. 

4 Jonathan, born 16 Nov., 1749; ward of Benjamin Bancroft, 1766; 

married Olive, who joined with Jonathan, described as of Temple¬ 
ton, in conveyance of 242 acres in Templeton, to Silas Heywood of 
Holden, 19 Nov., 1771. 7 The census of 1790 does not find him 
either in Massachusetts or Vermont nor is his name found in Mas¬ 
sachusetts Revolutionary rolls. 

5 Mary, born 11 Oct., 1751; died 10 Sept., 1753. 

6 Deborah, born 24 Oct., 1753. There is a record of intention of mar¬ 

riage at Ashburnham, between Deborah Holden and John Read of 
Ashby, 7 June, 1780. 


1 Josiah Flagg married Margaret Holden, see 1974. He was of Mason, N. H. 

2 Middlesex Deeds, 28:104. , 3 Archives, 91:40 187; 92:61. 

« Butler: History of Groton. ‘ Church records 6 I own records. 

7 Worcester Deeds, 70:663. 


126 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


7 Mary, born 15 Sept., 1756. 

8 Hannah, born 8 May, 1758. 1 

Jonathan Holden, housewright, received a deed dated 3 Aug., 
1724, from Hannah Holden, widow, and John Holden (his brother) 
of 120 acres on both sides of Mulpus Brook, formerly belonging to 
Ensign Nathaniel Lawrence. This he sold in part 29 May, 1739, to 
Jonathan Gould for £275. 2 He sold other lands in the same locality 
in 1739 and 1740. 

Jonathan Holden served under Colonel Tyng in 1724, and as of 
Groton enlisted 10 June, 1725, and served until 3 Nov., 1725, as a 
centinel in company commanded by Captain Eleazer Tyng. His 
name also appears on a list of men w T ho scouted under Captain 
Thomas Tarbell of Groton, from 7-13 July, 1748. 3 

Administration was granted to Hannah Holden, widow, 6 Jan., 
1759, on the estate of Jonathan Holden. The inventory disclosed 
real estate valued at £200 and the usual personal estate of a farmer. 

On 12 Oct., 1765, the widow Deborah Holden requested that a 
commission be appointed to settle the estate. Report of Commis¬ 
sioners, 26 Sept., 1766, accepted by “the widow and heirs,” Deborah 
Holden, Robert Holden, Benjamin Bancroft, guardian for Jonathan 
Holden. Endorsed on back, “Robert, Jonathan, Mary, Hannah.” 

The estate consisted of house, barn, and 50 acres land bounded 
south and southwest on Lunenburg road, w r est by Amos Farnsworth 
and heirs of Stephen Holden, north by said Farnsworth and east by 
said Holden’s heirs and by Abraham Moors, all of which was set off 
to the widow and to eldest son Robert, he being ordered to pay his 
brother Jonathan and sisters Deborah, Mary, Hannah, each £13- 
2-5 1/3. 29 Oct., 1766. 

199 Benjamin {Stephen, Richard ), born about 1705, under 
fourteen years of age in 1715 ; 4 died perhaps in the army in the expe¬ 
dition against the Spanish West Indies, 1740, or soon after his return 
home; married 8 May, 1728, 5 at Dedham, Hannah Ockington, 
born 9 Sept., 1695, at Dedham, died 4 Jan., 1776, at Princeton, 
“from effects of a fall, ” 6 daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Mason) 
Ockington. 5 She married, second, 5 June, 1746, at Dedham, 5 Samuel 
Bullard. 

1 In 1850 there was a Hannah Holden, aged 93, born in Massachusetts, who was living at Windsor, Vt., 
with Austin Lamburton (aged 37). She was admitted to the church at Windsor 7 Oct., 1810, by letter from 
the church in Cambridge, Mass., to which she was admitted 28 Aug., 1793. She was aided by the town of 
Windsor in 1810, 1812-14, and died about 1850. That she was 198-8 is suggested by the fact that F. A. 
Holden asserted, but gave no proof, that Jonathan 198-4, was that Jonathan Holden of Windsor, Vt., 
whose marriage is recorded at Framingham, 19 June, 1810 to Betsy Clark. There is no further trace of 
Jonathan at Windsor. See also Benjamin Holden of Windsor who married there Mary Smeed, 21 March, 
1793 and had children Hannah and Jonathan. Hannah Holden is described as “Mrs. ” on Windsor records, 
which however, is not proof that she was a married woman, as a lady of that age at that time was apt to be 
so described. See note, page 148. 

2 Middlesex Deeds, 37:659; 40:579. 3 Archives, 91:127a, 194; 92:156. 

4 Probate records. * Town and church records. 6 R. W. Holden Ms. 



THIRD GENERATION 


127 


Children, born at Dedham: 1 

1-1 Benjamin, born 10 March, 1728-9, baptized 13 April, 1729; died 

24 Nov., 1820; married Catherine Richards. 

2 John, born 31 Dec., 1731, baptized 2 Jan., 1731-2; died 19 Feb., 

1731-2. 

3 Mindwell, born 16 Feb., 1732-3; 2 married 12 Sept., 1751, at Dedham, 

Samuel Farrington. She owned the covenant at Dedham, 

3 Feb., 1754. 

Child: 

1. Samuel Farrington, born 27 Feb., 1754, at Dedham; 1 married 

May, 1778 at Dedham, Elizabeth Mann of Natick. 3 

4 Sarah, born 13 July, 1735 ; 2 married 16 Aug., 1757, at Raynham, 

Lemuel Wilbore, baptized 2 Sept., 1739, died 1820, son of Meshach 

and Elizabeth (Leonard) Wilbore. 4 

Children: 4 

L Chloe Wilbore, born 7 May, 1758, at Raynham; died 24 Sept., 

1818; married 1779, Salmon Iveith, son of Daniel and Lydia 

(Keyzer) Keith of Bridgewater. 3 

2. Asa Wilbore, born 29 April, 1760; died 8 Aug., 1847; married 

1783, Sylvia Jackson. 

3. Holden Wilbore, born 22 July, 1762; married Ruth Tisdale; 

(2) Polly Leonard. 

4. Tryphena Wilbore, born 3 Sept., 1764; married 19 Nov., 1791, 

Jabez Hall. 

5. Daniel Wilbore, born 3 Sept., 1764; married Sarah Trask. 

The parentage of Benjamin Holden is proved by his release 15 
May, 1729 5 for £10, to Nathaniel Holden of Groton, yeoman, all his 
interest in the estate of his father Stephen Holden, late of Groton, 
deceased, viz.: in that part set off to his mother Hannah Holden as 
her dower. In this deed he styles himself of Dedham, husbandman. 

Thomas Ockington of Dedham, husbandman, 18 Dec., 1729, for 
love and affection, granted to take effect at his death, to his daughter 
Hannah Holden and her children, not excluding her eldest daughter, 
who was to share equally with the other children, £35 out of his 
movable estate, and one half his lands and buildings in Dedham and 
Stoughton, one half his cow-common and all lands to be laid out to 
it, excluding Benjamin Holden, his son-in-law from any right and 
interest. Hannah was to pay half his debts, and £20 to two of the 
grantor’s grandsons at twenty-one, children his daughter Sarah had 
by Jonathan Hall of Taunton. 6 Thomas Ockington died intestate, 

1 Town and church records. 

2 Mindwell, Sarah and Jerusha, daughters of Hannah Holden, baptized 2 April, 173S, the mother being 
received into the church the same day. Jerusha was born 25 Sept., 1726, ( Dedham, records) and married 
Timothy Titus of Rehoboth. They united 2 March, 1761, with Samuel Farrington, his wife Mindwell 
and Lemuel Wilbore of Raynham, and his wife Sarah, the women being “granddaughters of Thomas, 
Ockington, late of Dedham, ” in conveying to Benjamin Holden of Dedham, gentleman, all their interest 
in land bequeathed them by Thomas Ockington {Suffolk Deeds , 96:98). The same month Hannah Bullard 
in consideration of £40, conveyed her interest in her father’s estate to Benjamin Holden. 

3 R. W. Holden Ms. 4 The Wilbores in America, p. 35. 

3 Middlesex Deeds, 30:274. “Archives, 91:329, 336:40, 342. 


128 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


19 Nov., 1732, and it was doubtless on his farm that Benjamin Holden 
dwelt. ^ 

Benjamin Holden renewed his baptismal covenant 13 April, 1729. 
At the time of his marriage he was described as of Needham, which 
had been set off from Dedham in 1711. His name appears on billeting 
rolls, dated 26 Aug. and 23 Sept., 1740, of men enlisted by Captain 
Thomas Philips for the expedition against the Spanish West Indies. 1 
From this disastrous expedition against Carthegena only half the 
forces returned, and many of the survivors died soon after from 
sickness incurred while in the service. 

217 Doctor William ( Samuel , Justinian ), born 4 March, 
1712-3, at Cambridge; died 30 March, 1776, at Dorchester, 2 aged 63 
( g.s .); married 25 Aug., 1735, at Newton, 2 Hannah Beal of Hingham, 
born 29 Sept., 1713-4, died 20 Jan. 1786, at Dorchester 2 “ aged 74 ” 
(g.s.), daughter of Thomas 3 and Jael (Remington 4 ) Beal. On the 
marriage record Doctor Holden is described as of Sherborne. His 
epitaph describes him as “an eminent physician, a Friend to his 
Country, and a useful man.” 

Children, 2 born at Dorchester except the three eldest: 

1 Hannah, born 10 Dec., 1736; died 14 March, 1739, at Bridgewater, 
aged 3 years, 3 months, 4 days (g.s.). 

2- 2 Samuel, born 26 Nov., 1737, at Bridgewater; died 27 April, 1808; 

married Hannah Kelton. 

3- 3 William, born 30 Oct., 1739, at Bridgewater; died Dec., 1819; 

married Susannah Humphrey. 

4 Hannah, born 8 Jan., 1741-2; died 8 Nov., 1800; married July, 
1775, 2 at Dorchester, Ezekiel Bird, born 13 Jan., 1738-9, died 
21 Dec., 1817, at Dorchester, son of Thomas and Mary (Clapp) 
Bird. 

Children, born at Dorchester: 3 

1. Hannah Holden Bird, born 2 Oct., 1775; died 7 Nov., 1837. 

2. Ezekiel Bird, born 8 Oct., 1777; died 11 Aug., 1811. 

3. Samuel Bird, born 11 May, 1778; died 14 Sept., 1812. 

5- 5 Phineas, born 31 Jan., 1743-4; died 27 Nov., 1818; married 

Thankful Baker. 

6- 6 Jonathan, born 21 Dec., 1745; died about 1790; married Mary Ann 

Baker. 

7 Lydia, born 4 Nov., 1749; died 23 Nov., 1844, at Dorchester; married 
1 Dec., 1781, Elisha Davenport, who died 8 Sept., 1807; (2) 
4 Dec., 1811, 2 Honorable John Howe of Dorchester. 

Children, born at Dorchester: 3 

1. Lydia Davenport, born 23 June, 1784; married 10 May, 1803, 
Daniel Pierce, born 4 Aug., 1779, son of Jonathan and 
and Mary (Glover) Pierce. 


1 Suffolk Deeds, 47:81. 
3 R. W. Holden Ms. 


2 Town records. 

4 Lincoln: History of Hingham. 


THIRD GENERATION 


129 


2. Polly Davenport, twin with Lydia. 

3. Harriet Davenport, born 16 Nov., 1789. 

8 Mercy, born 4 Jan., 1752; baptized 19 Jan., as Mary; married 21 

Dec., 1775, Ebenezer Capen. 

Children, born at Dorchester: 1 

1. John Capen, born 5 Feb., 1779. 

2. Ebenezer Capen, born March, 1785. 

3. Thomas Capen, born Nov., 1788. 

4. Phineas Capen, born 12 July, 1792. 

9 Abigail, born 24 March, 1757; died 25 Jan., 1799; married Ebenezer 

Moseley. 

Children, born at Dorchester: 2 

1. Phineas Holden Moseley, born 17 Feb., 1778. 

2. Ebenezer Moseley, born 31 Oct., 1780. 

3. Hannah Holden Moseley, born Sept., 1782. 

4. Charlotte Moseley, born 31 Oct., 1783. 

5. Andrew Moseley, born 16 Dec., 1792. 

6. William Moseley, born 14 Oct., 1794. 

William Holden was practicing medicine in Newton in 1734. He 
soon removed to Bridgewater, thence to Dorchester, where in 1753 
he purchased 41 acres of John Holbrook, paying therefor £600. 
Some time prior to the Revolution he built a house for his sons 
Jonathan and Phineas, which was standing in 1877, and which was 
at one time owned by Samuel Payson, husband of Lucy Holden 1 . 

The Alarm List of the 1st Independent Company of Dorchester, 
commanded by Colonel Estes Hatch, dated 15 March, 1758, contains 

the names of William Holden and William Holden, Jr. 3 

1 

221 John {John, Justinian), born 5 June, 1700, at Watertown; 
died probably in 1757, possibly in the army; married 29 Dec., 1725, 
at Concord 2 , Mary Wheeler, born 3 March, 1703-4, daughter of 
Thomas Wheeler of Concord. 4 
Children, born at Concord: 2 

1 Sarah, born 25 Jan., 1728-9; married (intention 29 Oct., 1749, at 
Acton) Samuel Barrett, 1 born 6 July, 1725, at Concord, son of 
Joseph and Rebecca Barrett. 1 
Child: 1 

1. Samuel Barrett, born 24 Dec., 1773; married 11 March, 1804, 
Mary Heyward; (2) 1 Jan., 1811, Susan Hudson. 

2-2 John, born 28 Jan., 1730-1; died Oct., 1785; married Susanna 
Ellsworth. 

3 Mary, born 18 Dec., 1732. 

4-4 Jonathan, born 6 Oct., 1734; died 4 June, 1794; married Rachel 
Hollister. 

5 Rebecca, born 31 March, 1736; married 1 Jan., 1756, 2 at Littleton, 1 
Simon Tuttle, born 19 Dec., 1733, at Littleton, died 21 or 23 

iR. W. Holden Ms. 2 Town records. 

3 Archives, 96: 82. 4 Wheeler Genealogy. 


130 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


April, 1814, son of Siimon and Abigail (Chase) Tuttle. 1 Removed 
to Acton. 

Child: 1 

1. Lucy Tuttle, married Joseph Fletcher (elsewhere stated to 
have married - Davis). 

John Holden was a cordwainer. In 1733 he became associated 
with his father as innholder, and soon took over the business. He 
was plaintiff in many suits about 1740. By exchange with his brother 
Daniel he obtained the latter’s half interest in the buildings and land. 
This inn was on the Lancaster road, in the southerly part of Con¬ 
cord, near Nine Acre Corner, at a junction of two roads. In 1745 
he was of Glastenbury, Conn., and acting as one of the distributors 
of the estate of Ebenezer Goodale of Glastonbury. 2 The preceding 
winter he had appeared as attorney for Ebenezer and Sarah Hum¬ 
phrey, administrators of the estate of Joseph Read of Oxford, Mass., 
concerning land sold in Glastonbury, and in 1746 was an appraiser 
of an estate there. 2 He may be the soldier of 1755, but it is more 
probable that the younger John, son of this man, was the soldier. 
It is not readily discovered which was the petitioner of 1756, but on 
12 Sept., 1758, his brother Daniel Holden acknowledged witnessing 
the conveyance of a lot at Turkey Hill (Lunenburgh) sold by John 
Holden, Jr., 28 Aug., 1723, making oath at the same time that the 
said John the grantor was deceased. 3 Members of this Concord 
family appear frequently as grantors and grantees of lands in Concord. 

John Holden after removing to Glastonbury styled himself cord- 
w~ainer, the craft to which he had been bred. 

He served from the 3 June to 10 November, 1725, as corporal in 
the company commanded by Captain Josiah Willard. 4 


222 Daniel {John, Justinian), born 3 April, 1702, at Water- 
town; died 7 Nov., 1782 “aged 83,” 5 at Concord, Mass.; married 
15 Feb., 1725-6, at Concord, Anne (Anna) Jones, born 23 Aug., 
1698, at Concord, died 4 April, 1782, “aged 83,” at Concord, 5 
daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Redditt) Jones. 

Daniel Holden was a cordwainer. In 1762 he gave to his son 
Daniel one half his homestead, and in 1771 conveyed to him the 
other half. In neither case does his wife join in the deed, but this is 
not unusual in conveyances of this character, the mother’s rights 
being thus protected. 

Children, born at Concord: 5 

1 Grace, born 30 Aug., 1726; perhaps married 20 Dec., 1757, at 

Sudbury, Jonas Balcom. 

2 Hannah, born 26 Oct., 1728; died 16 Nov., 1728. 


1 R. W. Holden Ms. 

3 Middlesex Deeds, 66: 587. 


2 Mainwaring: Abstracts of Hartford Probate to 1750. 
4 Archives, 91: 190. 5 Concord records. 



THIRD GENERATION 


131 


3 Hannah, born 20 Nov., 1729; married 28 May, 1755, as of Stow, 1 

Obadiah Gill of Stow. 

4 Anne, twin with Hannah, died 4 Dec., 1729. 

5-5 Daniel, born 22 May, 1732; died 21 Jan., 1803; married Millicent 
Hosmer. 

6 Anne, born 8 Nov., 1734; married 31 Aug., 1769, at Concord, William 
Barker 1 of Acton. 

7-7 Samuel, born 16 Nov., 1739 (16 Dec., 1740 2 ); died 18 March, 1820; 
married Sarah Hosmer. 


223 Peter {John, Justinian ), born 1 Feb., 1704-5, at Water- 
town; died later than 1790; married 21 May, 1730, 3 Beulah Dakin, 
born 26 March, 1712, at Concord, died 22 Jan., 1732-3, 1 aged 20 
years, 10 months ( g.s .), daughter of Joseph and Dorothy Dakin. 
He married, second, 14 July, 1743, at Concord, 1 Abigail Jones. 
“The widow Holden” died 22 Oct., 1803, aged 89 years. 1 

Peter Holden lived in the southern part of Concord. From land 
conveyances it is learned he was a cordwainer. His name appears on 
the alarm list of the company commanded by Captain John Minot. 4 
Children, born at Concord: 3 

1 Amos, born 16 Jan., 1730-1; died 6 Feb., 1730-1. 

2 Samuel, born 26 Nov., 1731; died 30 April, 1738. 

3 Child, born 26 Jan., 1732-3; buried in the same grave as its mother. 
By second marriage: 1 

4 Beulah, born 31 May, 1744; married 27 Feb., 1766, at Concord, 1 

Benjamin Burnam of Lunenburg. 

Children, born at Concord: 1 

1. Lemuel Burnam, born 2 June, 1766. 

2. Abigail Burnam, born 7 Sept., 1768. 

5 Mary, born 19 Sept., 1746. 

6-6 John, born 26 July, 1753; died 13 March, 1828; married Zipporah 
Hall. 

7 Hannah, born 5 Aug., 1756. 

8 Rebecca, born 16 Aug., 1761. 


226 Josiah {John, Justinian), born 29 Jan., 1711-12, at Water- 
town; died 2 Jan., 1800, at Concord, aged 88 years; 5 married 27 Jan., 
1742, 5 at Concord, Hannah Parker, who died 12 Feb., 1819, aged 
95 years, 5 at Concord. 

A monument was erected at Groton to the memory of “Mr. 
Joseph Parker” who died 26 Nov., 1753, aged 64 years, 8 months, 
26 days, by Josiah Holden, Abel Parker, Nathaniel Lakin, John 
Blood, Isaac W 7 oods, and Josiah Parker. 6 


i Concord records 2 Family Bible. 

3 The data regarding the first wife of Peter Holden and of her children is taken from the Bible which 
after her death was given to his nephew Samuel Holden. There it appears Beulah Holden died 20 Jan., 

^ ^ Archh-es^U^SOL* ^ 6 Town and church records. 8 Green: Groton Epitaphs, 24 . 


132 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Josiah Holden was a cordwainer. His name appears on the “alarm 
list” of the Concord company commanded by Major John Minot, 
12 April, 1757. 1 He was appointed by David Phipps, sheriff of 
Middlesex County, one of his deputies, 16 Oct., 1767, 2 and 1771 
he was defendant in a number of lawsuits, which went against him, 
causing in the following year certain parcels of real estate owned by 
him in Concord to be sold to satisfy the judgments. These legal 
troubles are supposed to have arisen from causes originating from his 
official position. Certainly his troubles did not commence until after 
his appointment as deputy sheriff. 

In 1790 he was the head of a family consisting of himself and wife. 

Children, born at Concord: 3 

1 Josiah, born 22 Feb., 1743. 

2 Parker, born 22 April, 1745. He enlisted 12 May, 1761, and served 

until 5 Dec., 1761, in company commanded by Captain Silas 
Brown. He re-enlisted 22 March, and served until 26 Nov., 1762, 
in company commanded by Captain Jonathan Carver. 4 

3 Hannah, born 29 Sept., 1748; died 12 March, 1754. 

4 Lucy, born 24 Nov., 1754. 

5 Tilly, born 15 Dec., 1758; died 1777, in the army. He enlisted 

26 May, 1775, Captain Aaron Hayne’s company, Brewer’s regiment, 
and was described as of Concord, a minor. He was at Prospect Hill 
in October, 1775. Also given as enlisted 6 June, 1776, Captain 
Brown’s company, Whitney’s regiment, and served until 1 Nov., 
1776, being stationed at Hull. He enlisted in the Continental line, 
10 Dec., 1776, for three years, served in Marshall’s regiment, which 
marched to Bennington from Boston. On roll of 7 Nov., 1777, is 
marked as “died.” 5 

22J Ensign Jonas {John, Justinian ), born 8 July, 1721, at 
Concord, living in January, 1794; married 28 Jan., 1752, at Sudbury, 
Abigail Kendall. 6 

Jonas Holden enlisted 10 March, 1748, and served as centinel in 
company commanded by Captain Phineas Stevens to 6 April, and 
then as sergeant in company commanded by Captain Eleazer Melven 
to 13 June. 7 He was a cordwainer, and is so described in deeds until 
1773, when he appears as “gentleman”. On 10 July, 1783, he granted 
to his son Jonas in consideration of £200, three tracts of land in 
Sudbury, with the buildings thereon, including half of his own 
dwelling house. In Jan., 1794, he mortgaged his whole estate in 
Sudbury, and this mortgage was discharged 5 April, 1805. His will 
was proved 9 March, 1803. 

In 1790 his family consisted of himself and wife. 

1 ^chives, 95:308. 2 Suffolk files, 148, 008, etc. 

3 Town and church records. 4 Mass. Archives, 99:13, 245. 

6 Massachusetts Revolutionary rolls. e Sudbury records. 7 Archives, 92:116, 150. 


THIRD GENERATION 


133 


Children, 1 born at Sudbury: 

1-1 Abel, born 2 Oct., 1752; died 3 Aug., 1818; married Lois Cutler; 
(2) Thankful Cutting. 

2 — 2 Levi, born 12 Jan., 1754; died 19 April, 1823; married Hannah 
Plympton. 

3- 3 Jonas, born 31 Aug., 1756; died about 1847; married Molly 

Thompson. 

4- 4 Asa, born 10 May, 1762, died 3 Aug., 1854; married Mary. 

5- 5 Joel, born 5 Dec., 1768, of “Ensign Jonas and Abigail;’’ married 

Betsy. 

231 Isaac {Isaac, Justinian ), born 12 Nov., 1703, at Cambridge; 
died 1758 in the army; married 6 Oct., 1726, at Watertown, 2 Eliza¬ 
beth Cutting, born 1 Dec., 1701, daughter of Zechariah and Eliza¬ 
beth (Wellington) Cutting. 2 Both are named in the will of her grand¬ 
father Zechariah Cutting, proved 1732. 

He “married again in the eastward country.” 3 
Children : 3 

1-1 Joseph, born-; married Sally Holden (232-1). 

2 Moses. Nothing further is known of him, and but for the fact 
that Isaac Holden, Sr., in his will of 1765 mentions the “heirs” 
of deceased son Isaac, his existence might be doubted. See 234-6. 

Isaac Holden was a cordwainer. He lived in Watertown at the 
time of his marriage, and may have contemplated settling in Sud¬ 
bury, as he bought a house and land there in 1726, giving back a 
mortgage for its full value. He reconveyed the property six months 
later, his wife Elizabeth releasing dower. In 1725 both he and his 
wife were admitted to the church at the East End, Watertown. 
On 30 May, 1734, he and wife Elizabeth join with William White and 
wife Sarah in selling two acres of meadow in Cambridge, and 23 Oct., 
1738, he sells a mansion house and five acres land in Watertown, 
describing it as bounding on land of the widow Elizabeth Cutting, 
and a line lately made to divide the homestead into two shares. 4 
As no wife appears in this conveyance, it is probable that she had 
lately died, and that it was about this time he removed to Kittery. 

His name appears on a roll dated 26 May, 1756, of a company 
commanded by Captain Ichabod Goodwin, Preble’s regiment, and 
again on a roll of the third company of militia of Kittery, commanded 
by Captain Samuel Newmarch, dated 12 April, 1757. He enlisted 
2 May, 1758, in company commanded by Captain William Osgood, 
raised for the reduction of Canada. On the 8 July, 1758 his name has 
marked against it “died.” 5 He was a resident of Kittery. 

1 Sudbury records. 2 Watertown records. 

3 F. A. Holden Ms., apparently derived from “an ancient Ms." 

4 Middlesex deeds 40:438; 41:125. He had recently purchased the homestead lot from Whitney and 
Warrin. He mortgaged this to his father, his brothers-in-law, and their wives, 28 Feb., 1736, describing it 
as his dwelling place. No wife appeared. Ibid, 39-94. 6 Archives, 95:36; 96:236, 326. 



134 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Apparently after his death his child or children were cared for 
by their grandfather Holden, and became members of his family 
at Cambridge. 

232 Henry (Isaac, Justinian), born about 1705; died aged about 
73married 14 Oct., 1758, Sarah Fuller of Cambridge. 2 

Henry Holden was chosen grand juryman by Cambridge town 
meeting, for one year, 5 Alar., 1764. 3 On the 1 Dec., 1767, he had 
administration on the estate of Elizabeth Godden, widow, late of 
Watertown, and in Dec., 1768, presented his account as executor 
of wall of Henry Godden, late of Watertown. 4 

“He acquired a considerable fortune, for those days, owned a 
part of his father’s interest, and added more to it, and lived in a 
thriving state till about 50 years of age wdien he married.” 5 He was 
a cordwainer. 

Children: 6 

1 Sarah, born 13 Nov., 1757; married Joseph Holden. 7 

2 Isaac, died young, “to the great grief of his father.” (2311). 

3 Enoch, bapt. 8 Dec., 1765. 

234 Justinian (Isaac, Justinian ), born 1715 8 ; died “in the 
western w T ar, about fifty years old,” 9 1756; married 25 June, 1741, 
at Harvard, 10 Ruth (Robbins) Sawyer, who was of Harvard in 1759, 
widow of Moses Sawyer whom she married 16 May, 1739, at Littleton. 

Children, born at Harvard: 10 

1-1 Isaac, born 12 Feb. 1741-2; died about 1830; married-. 

2 Hannah (Joanna 11 ), married (intention at Petersham) 25 July, 1765, 

at Lancaster Ephraim Robbins. 11 She was of Harvard. 

3 Jeremiah, born 16 May, 1746. 

4 Ruth, born 2 May, 1748; married 17 Aug., 1775, Joseph Jones of 

Bolton. 11 

5 Lucy, born 25 Sept., 1751; died 9 Dec., 1753. 

6 Moses, born 1755; 12 aged 18 in 1773, when he chose Aaron Jewett 

of Littleton his guardian. Not enumerated in the Census of 1790 
as head of a family. He w f as a member of the company of minute 
men in Littleton, commanded by Captain Samuel Reed, wdiich 
responded to the alarm of the 19 April, 1775. He enlisted 24 April 
in Captain Samuel Gilbert’s company in Prescott’s regiment. He 
transferred to the train of artillery, serving in Captain John Popkin’s 
company, Gridley’s regiment, 29 May, 1775, and was at Winter 
Hill August to December inclusive. He signed an order for a 
bounty coat or equivalent, 2 Jan., 1776. 13 

I F. A. Holden Ms. - County Records. 5 General Sessions, files. 

4 Middlesex Probate, 44:47. 8 Relation of Abner Holden. 6 Paige: History of Cambridge. 

7 See deed Joseph Holden of Cambridge 1782, 81:207. 

8 Age as given on company descriptive list. 8 F. A. Holden Ms., quoting “ Ancient Ms.” 

10 Harvard records, quoted by R. W. Holden. 

II Worcester County record of marriages. 12 Middlesex Probate records. 

13 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 



THIRD GENERATION 


135 


Justinian Holden was a land surveyor. He was early in West¬ 
minster (Narraganset No. 2), and improved two lots there, which 
in 1740 he sold to Joseph Miller. 1 He removed to Harvard and was 
licensed to keep an inn there, 1747-56. He enlisted 15 Sept., 1755, 
and served until the 14 December that year as a sergeant in com¬ 
pany of Captain Daniel Fletcher, in the Crown Point expedition. 
He was also reported 25 Sept., 1755, as member of company com¬ 
manded by Lt.-Colonel John Cummings, Colonel Josiah Browne’s 
regiment. He enlisted 16 March, 1756, and served until 25 Sept., 
1756, in Captain Thomas Hartwell’s company, Colonel Jonathan 
Bagley’s regiment, being described as of Harvard, private and com¬ 
pany clerk, and reported “dead.” On a roll dated 9 Aug., 1756, at 
Fort William Henry, he is described as sergeant, born in Cambridge, 
aged 39, resident of Harvard and a joiner, and that he volunteered 
from Captain Atherton’s company, Colonel Wilder’s regiment. 2 

There is a further record, which probably refers to this man, of 
service as corporal of a company commanded by Captain Jonathan 
Whitney which was sent into the woods 23-31 July, 1748, and 
which appears to have been a Worcester county company. 2 

His wife had administration on his estate 14 Dec., 1756, at Worces¬ 
ter. The inventory discloses surveyors’ instruments, wages due from 
the Colony, and a negro slave. 

262 Stephen {Joseph, Justinian ), born 21 Oct., 1717, at Water- 
town; died 15 Sept., 1794, 3 at Westminster; married in the spring of 
1751, Abigail Bemis, baptized 25 July, 1731, daughter of Philip 
and Elizabeth (Lawrence) Bemis. Philip BemLs removed from 
Cambridge to Westminster in 1738. 

Children : 3 

1 Samuel, born 3 Jan., 1752; died 18 June, 1778, at Westminster; 
married 8 April, 1777, at Sudbury, Sarah Hill, who married, 
second, 21 Dec., 1780, Eli Smith. Samuel Holden was a shoe¬ 
maker. 

Children: 

1. Child, died 18 June, 1778. 

2. Lucy, born 19 Oct., 1778. 

2-2 Stephen, born 16 May, 1755; died 15 Nov., 1803; married Elizabeth 
Miller. 

3 Abigail, born 23 March, 1757; died 17 May, 1757. 

4- 4 Elias, born 28 May, 1758; died 4 Feb., 1838; married Olive Smith. 

5- 5 Levi, born 2 Dec., 1762; married Hannah Knowles. 

6 Elizabeth, born 30 Oct., 1766; died 18 Nov., 1780. 

Stephen Holden served as centinel in the same company and for 

1 Hayward: History of Westminster. 2 Archives, 92:125; 94:71, 169, 517, 381; 95:50. 

1 Hey wood: History of Westminster, also given by Abner Holden. 


136 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


the same period as his brother Joseph, 24 June to 16 Oct., 1748. 1 
He settled on the farm in late years known as the Cutter place, which 
came into the family through his grandmother Mary (Rutter) 
Holden, whose father was in King Philip’s War. 1 He was less promi¬ 
nent in town affairs than his brothers, but was selectman, deputy 
to the General Court in 1788, and was delegate to the Convention 
for ratifying the United States Constitution the same year. 2 

The census of 1790 found at Westminster two heads of families 
named Stephen Holden, one with a family of self, one other male 
over sixteen and two females. The other, probably Stephen, Jr., with 
a family of self, three males under sixteen, and three females. 

265 Abner {Joseph, Justinian), born 2 Nov., 1722, at Water- 
town; died 22 Oct., 1805, at Westminster; married 25 Feb., 1752-3, 
at Westminster, 3 Elizabeth Darby, born 13 March, 1739, died 13 
Nov., 1812, at Westminster, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth 
Darby. 4 

Children, born at Westminster: 5 

1 Joseph, born 2 Aug., 1753; died 31 May. 1797, at Westminster, s.p.; 
married 18 March, 1779, 3 Rebecca Hoar, [who married (2) 1800 
Captain William Brown of Fitchburg. 3 ] He marched on the alarm of 
19 April, 1775 in the company of Captain Nicholas Dike and served 
four days and a half at Cambridge. He was commissioned ensign 
1 Jan., 1777, to date from 1 Dec., 1776, and quartermaster of 
Colonel Nicholas Dike’s regiment raised for defence of Boston. 
He had acted as quartermaster as early as 28 November, and was 
in service at Dorchester Heights in March, 1777. See below for 
subsequent history, but in spite of no mention of after service 
it would appear he volunteered as a private in Jackson’s company 
and marched on the Bennington Alarm of Aug., 1777, during which 
tour of duty he performed the duties of quartermaster, and appears 
on some rolls as Jabez Holden. Concerning him his father wrote: 

“In further pursuing this history I shall trace my family down to the 
present day and shall in the course of proceedings consider them as they 
were born, beginning with Joseph my first born in whom perhaps I placed 
too great hopes of comfort and happiness. I gave him a tolerable degree of 
learning which assisted that natural ability which the God of Nature had 
given him, and as he increased in years he increased in learning and knowl¬ 
edge, and I think I may add with truth in influence among mankind as 
far as his acquaintance did extend, and he took an early part in the contest 
with Brittain and espoused the cause of his country. Enlisted into the army 
and was a Quarter master under Col. Dike in a temporary regiment stationed 
at Dorchester in the year 1776; served his term out and enlisted again 
and was appointed an Ensign in one of the Cos. in said Regiment till said 
regiment was discharged; after his return he was seized with a slow bilious 
fever which brought him to the brink of the grave, but through Divine 

1 Archives, 92:145. 2 Heywood: History of Westminister , also given by Abner Holden. 

3 Town records. 4 F. A. Holden Ms. 

6 As given by Abner Holden, who wrote about 1800, with later dates in handwriting of one of his sons, 
and from the Ms. of F. A. Holden, who was in correspondence with members of the family, and from 
Westminster records. 


THIRD GENERATION 


137 


Goodness he recovered to a tolerable state of health, but it greatly weakened 
his constitution. I then provided a farm and gave him, which was the 
purchase of his ancestors in the Narragansett war. He saw cause soon after 
to intermarry with a Rebecca Hoar, and soon was noticed by his fellow 
townsmen, and for fourteen years successively served in that and other 
important offices of the town to general satisfaction, till death ended his 
services and life together. He addressed the town at a March meeting, 
March 1797, in a written address from which the following is a copy: 

‘ Gentlemen . I must decline being considered in the ensuing election 
as a candidate for Town Clerk, wishing that the town would appoint another 
in my place. My state of health is such that I cannot attend the duty of 
the office. Having served you as a Town Clerk for fourteen years, and hope 
to your satisfaction, I must with gratitude take this opportunity of returning 
you my sincere thanks for your good wishes in promoting me from time to 
time. If my services have been serviceable to you, and have answered the 
public good, it will give me the highest satisfaction that I have done my duty 
and give me some degree of pleasure in my retired moments in this my 
declining state while the days of health are gone; but infirmities of health 
and disappointments of fortune are alike incident to all. Tho’ today our 
hearts may be elated with gratification of every ambitious wish, tho’ our 
cheek is blooming with health and vitality; yet before the setting of 
tomorrow’s sun our heads may be laid low with pain and distress, and all 
the enjoyments of life changed into the bitterest afflictions. 

Gentlemen I congratulate you on the arrival of the day of liberty which 
we have in the choice of our officers, wishing you may elect men of discern¬ 
ment and integrity to perform the public business. 

I congratulate you also that harmony and peace is amongst us; and 
also the happy situation of the town with regard to our finances and the 
general increase of wealth and plenty amongst us. Wishing that the Great 
Governor of the world shall continue to use these great and inestimable 
blessings to the latest posterity, I am with the highest esteem 

Yours Joseph Holden.’ 

Thus ended the life of that young man in an early stage of life, not 
having completed the forty-fourth year of his age, leaving his widow in full 
possession of his estate during her continuing his widow, and left no children 
to mourn his loss.” 


2 Ruth, born 10 Dec., 1754; died 20 Oct., 1804, at Westminster; 1 married 
30 June, 1772 (intention at Westminster 1 ) Joshua Fletcher of 
Grafton; (2) 10 April, 1776, at Westminster 1 John White, born 
1 June, 1748, at Lexington, died 4 Oct., 1806, at Gardner, son of 
Joseph and Hannah White. He served in Captain Parker’s com¬ 
pany at the siege of Boston. They lived in Gardner. 

“Ruth Holden my first daughter born Dec. ye 10 th , 1754. She married 
in an early stage of life to one Joshua’IF^tcher with whom she lived not six 
months and he died, after which she married again to one John White, by 
whom she had three children, who, all are now living except one. ” 2 

Children: 

1. Elizabeth White, born 21 Sept., 1776; died at Reading; married 

19 Feb., 1798, William Bickford of Reading. 4 

2. Abigail White, born 30 April, 1780; died 5 Feb., 1796 (g.s.) at 

Westminster. 

3. John White, born 3 May, 1782; died at Gardner; married 30 Jan., 

1804, Persis Conell (Cowell ?). 


i “Oct 20,°1804, departed this life the above named Ruth White; Oct. 4, 1806, there departed this 
life John White.” (F. A. Holden Ms.) Further information has been obtained from a descendant 
(1922), who also supplied data concerning descendants of Elizabeth. 


138 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


4. Mary White, born 17 Feb., 1784; married 24 March, 1806, 

John Parker. 1 

5. Augustine White, born 24 Feb., 1786; died 1880, at Augusta, 

Me. 

6. Abner White, born 10 Dec., 1787; died in New Jersey, s.p. 

7. Rebecca White, born 9 May, 1790; died 1815, at Trenton, N. Y., 

unmarried. 

8. Lucy White, born 26 Oct., 1792; died March, 1880, at Stock- 

bridge, Wis.; married Solomon Prentiss, born 1780 at 
Sherborn, died 1854 at Stockbridge. He served in company 
commanded by Captain Benjamin Ballard, at siege of Boston. 
Among their children was Mary Parker Prentiss, born 2 April, 
1819, at Trenton, N. Y., died 16 Oct., 1913, at Rome, N. Y., 
married 24 May, 1854, at Utica, Oswald Backus of Bridge¬ 
port, Conn., a graduate of Yale University, and had Oswald 
Prentiss Backus, born 10 Oct., 1855, now of Rome, N. Y., 
who married Frances Dudley Kinney and had Waldemus 
Draper Backus (wife of Robert Willard Holden, q.v.), Oswald 
P. Backus (Yale, 1908), and Sidney K. Backus (Dartmouth 
1911) . 2 

9. Abigail White, born 20 April, 1796. 

3 Elizabeth, born 17 Jan., 1757; died 5 Feb., 1844, at Westminster; 
married 25 Nov., 1773, at Westminster, Edmond Barnard, who 
died 1 Feb. 1804, at Westminster, aged 60 years. 

“Elizabeth Holden, my second daughter, born Jany 17, 1757, who was 
also married in early life to Edward Barnard, by whom she had six children. ” 

She married (2) 24 Jan., 1811, at Westminster, Jeremiah Ballard. 
Children born at Westminster: 3 

1. Elizabeth Barnard, born 22 June, 1776; died 8 Aug., 1776. 

2. Hannah Barnard, born 30 Aug., 1777; died 6 Oct., 1778. 

3. Hannah Barnard, born 21 Aug., 1780; died 5 June, 1803; s.p.; 

married 1 Jan., 1799, at Westminster, John Hoar, Jr. 

4. Elizabeth Barnard, born 14 Jan., 1783; died 13 June, 1803 s.p.; 

married Oct., 1802, 1 Edward Bacon. 

5. Polly (Mary) Barnard, born 29 Dec., 1788; died 18 Feb., 1874; 

married Major Horatio Gates Buttrick, born 14 March, 
1778, at Concord, son of Colonel John and Abigail (Jones) 
Buttrick. Removed to Clinton, N. Y. 

Their children were Edwin L. Buttrick (Hamilton College, 
1842), a colonel in the Civil War, and Nancy Whitney But¬ 
trick, who married Oren Root, LL.D., professor of mathemat¬ 
ics at Hamilton College, and was mother of Oren Root, born 
1838 at Syracuse, died 1907 at Clinton, N. Y., also a grad¬ 
uate of Hamilton and successor there to his father as professor 
of mathematics; of Edward Walstein Root, born 1841, died 
1870 (Hamilton, 1862), and professor of chemistry and agri¬ 
culture; and of Elihu Root, LL.D., born 15 Feb., 1845, at 

*Her son Frederic Parker was in partnership with Davis White (son of Augustine), Nelson and 
Abner White (sons of John), as Parker, W’hite & Co., chair manufacturers in Boston. 

2 Information of Oswald P. Backus, Esq., 1922. 1 Town records. 



Elizabeth (Holden) Barnard 
Great Grandmother of Elihu Root 




THIRD GENERATION 


139 


Clinton (Hamilton, 1864), Secretary of War and of State, 
United States Senator from New York; served also in many 
other important positions and especially as member of 
mission to the Hague to consider the formation of an Inter¬ 
national Court. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 
1912. For further information concerning these distinguished 
brothers see various biographical dictionaries. 

6. Edmond Barnard, born 13 Nov., 1797; died 1782, in Philadelphia; 
married July, 1828, Maria Louisa Sampson. 

4 Relief, born 18 Oct., 1758; died 25 May, 1776; married 29 April, 

1776, at Westminster, Thomas Farnsworth. 

5 Abner, born 29 June, 1760; died 19 Jan., 1824, s.p .; married 9 Feb., 

1785, at Westminster, Elizabeth Howard. He was a member 
of the company commanded by Capt. Nicholas Dike, which marched 
from Westminster on the Alarm of 19 April, 1775, and was credited 
with four and one half days service. 

6 Phebe, born 30 July, 1762; died 9 Feb., 1839, at Westminster; married 

21 Nov., 1780, at Westminster, Abel Wood, Esq., born 27 Dec., 
1755, at Sudbury, died 23 March, 1846, at Westminster, son of 
Deacon Nathan and Rebecca (Haynes) Wood. He was a cooper, 
farmer, justice of the peace, deputy to the General Court; a promi¬ 
nent man in town. He also taught singing and led the church 
choir. 

Children : x 

1. Ezra Wood, born 18 July (22 June), 1782; married Caty 

Jackson. 

2. Asaph Wood, born 14 May, 1784; married Susan Hill. 

3. Abel Wood, born 4 April, 1786; died 1851; married 19 July, 1812, 

Nancy Wiswall. 

4. Joseph Wood, born 25 Nov., 1788; married Mary W. Doty. 

5. Benjamin Franklin Wood, born 1 March, 1791; died 21 Jan. 1875; 

married 5 July, 1814, Lucinda Merriam. 

6. Phebe Wood, born 24 June, 1793; died 3 Feb., 1853; married 

William Heywood. 

7. Betsey Wood, born 3 Dec., 1795; died 7 March, 1826; married 

1825, Jonas Miller. 

8. Abraham Wood, born 16 Aug., 1798; died s.p.; married Patty 

Doty. 

9. Myra Wood, born 7 Dec., 1800; died 5 Feb., 1831, in India; 

married 28 May, 1827, Rev. David O. Allen, a missionary. 
7-7 Ezra, born 15 Dec., 1764; died 28 Nov., 1826; married Susannah 
Bigelow; (2) Mrs. Elizabeth (Marean) Brigham; (3) Mrs. 
Deborah (Bigelow) Hoar. 

8 Abigail, born 25 April, 1767; died 18 Nov., 1848; married (intention 
19 Sept.) 1785, Nathan Merriam, baptized 29 April, 1764, died 
15 Aug., 1794, at Westminster, son of Samuel and Anna (Whitney) 
Merriam; (2) 16 Aug., 1796, Captain Joel Whitney, her brother- 
in-law. 


1 Marriages and deaths from R. W. Holden Me. 


140 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children, born at Westminster: 1 

1. Joel Merriam, born 21 Feb., 1786; died 18 Aug., 1867; married 

31 March, 1808, Polly Farnsworth, who died in 1873 aged 84. 

2. Nathan Merriam, born 27 Nov., 1787; died 23 Oct., 1852; married 

20 Oct., 1811, Ruth Keyes. 

3. Reuben Merriam, born 15 Aug., 1790; died 7 June (Jan.), 1808 

unmarried. 

4. Asaph Merriam, born 20 March, 1792; died 19 Sept., 1868; 

married April, 1815, Anna W. Gibson; (2) Lorena Davis. 

Baptist clergyman at Bolton. 

5. Abigail Merriam, born 27 Jan., 1795; married 16 April, 1818, 

Farwell Cowee. 

6. Cynthia Whitney, born 10 (12) Oct., 1797; died 7 April, 1891; 

married 21 Sept., 1826, Ebenezer Jones. 

7. Joseph Holden Whitney, born 27 Dec., 1799; died 9 Jan., 1872, 

at Phillipstown, Mass.; married 18 May, 1822, Betsey Pratt. 

8. Horace Whitney, born 18 (26) April, 1802; married 28 April, 

1829, Mary Sawin. 

9. Elizabeth Barnard Whitney, born 27 May, 1804; died 17 April, 

1887; married 6 Oct., 1825, Timothy Weeks. 

10. Theodore Whitney, born 2 April, 1807; married 4 Nov., 1835, 

Betsey Wheeler. 

11. Relief Farnsworth Whitney, born 22 Feb., 1810; died 26 April, 

1875, at Troy; married 21 Oct., 1835, at Troy, N. Y., Willet 

G. Tripp. 

9 Lucy, born 25 Feb., 1770; died 1 Dec., 1791; married 29 Dec., 1790, 

at Westminster, Captain Joel Whitney, born 13 Sept., 1765 

died 15 April, 1857, at Gardner, son of Jonas and Sarah (Whitte- 

more) Whitney. 

Child: 

1. Lucy Whitney, born 1 Dec. (25 Nov.), 1791; died 18 Oct., 1821; 

married 28 Oct., 1813, Joseph Brown of Westminster. 

In 1790 Abner Holden was head of a family consisting of self, 
another male over sixteen and four females. 

Abner Holden accompanied his father to Westminster, then known 
as Narragansett No. 2, in 1737, when he was but fifteen years of age. 
He described the place, as “a howling wilderness, where no man 
dwelt; the hideous yells of wolves, the shrieks of owls, the gobbling 
of turkeys, and the barking of foxes, was all the music we enjoyed; 
no friend to visit, no soul in the adjoining towns — all a dreary 
waste, exposed to a thousand difficulties.” “As he grew in years he 
grew in favor with the townsmen, and was chosen to offices in the 
proprietary and afterward in the town; maintaining many of the 
first offices in town, and for many years was a justice of the peace, 
and discharged the duties of that office with promptness, and was 
faithful in all his undertakings. He was of a benevolent disposition, a 

i R. W. Holden Ms. 


THIRD GENERATION 


141 


lover of Christianity, but has now ceased from his labors, and no 
doubt is receiving the rewards of a well done, good and faithful 
servant.” 1 

Abner Holden enlisted 15 April, 1748 and served until 16 October, 
as centinel in company commanded by Captain Hartwell, raised, 
from Townsend, Lunenburg, Narragansett No. 2, and Leominster 2 
He was one of the original proprietors of Lancaster, N. H., but 
disposed of his right there in 1767 to David Page. 3 


1 Obituary notice quoted by F. A. Holden. 

2 Archives, 92:145. 


3 Rockingham Deeds, 102:285. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


1222 James {James, Justinian, Richard ), born 2 Aug., 1711, at 
Charlestown, 1 baptized 18 Nov., 1711, at Cambridge; died 1741 in 
the army; married 13 Jan., 1736-7, at Sutton, 1 Susannah Hall, 
born 11 Jan., 1715, daughter of Deacon Percival and Jane (Willis) 
Hall of Sutton. She married, second, 13 March, 1743-4, at Sutton, 
Stephen Cummings, as his second wife, by w T hom she had two daugh¬ 
ters, Susannah Cummings, born 14 April, 1746, at Sutton, and Olive 
Cummings, born 1 Dec., 1755, at Hardwick, who probably married 
25 May, 1777, Joseph Mixter of Templeton. Susannah Cummings 
and her “daughters” are mentioned in the will of her mother, Mrs. 
Jane Hall, dated 5 Oct., 1756, proved at Worcester, 15 Nov., 1757. 

Children: 

1-1 John, born 4 March, 1736-7, at Worcester, baptized Nov., 1740, at 

Sutton; died 9 Feb., 1818; married Margery Amidown; (2) Mrs. 

Dolly Aldrich. 

2 Ebenezer, baptized Nov., 1740, at Sutton; died in infancy. 

3 William, born 24 Nov., 1739, baptized Nov., 1740, at Sutton; died 

prior to 1763 without issue. 

James Holden bought 70 acres in Sutton of Deacon Percival Hall, 
3 May, 1739, paying therefor £200. 2 Deacon Hall was one of the most 
important residents of Sutton. He died 25 Dec., 1752. Shortly after 
removing to Sutton, James Holden enlisted in the Spanish war, for 
the expedition against Carthagena, and died in the service. Of the 
four companies from Massachusetts of about five hundred men, 
about half lost their lives in this ill-fated campaign. 

Administration was granted on his estate to his widow, w T ho gave 
bond with Zacheus Hall, her twin brother, and others, 3 Sept., 1741. 
The estate inventoried at £493, including 200 acres valued at £290. 
Of the debt of £211, there w r as due Deacon Hall £124. In an account 
rendered 12 May, 1743, is mention of a visit to Ipswich, 10 Dec., 
1741, by Zacheus Hall. Guardianship of the tw 7 o children, John and 
William, was granted to the widow. John petitioned 12 March, 
1750-1, then being over fourteen years of age and living in Douglas, 
that Isaac Cummings of Douglas might be appointed his guardian. 

1223 Daniel {James, Justinian, Richard), born 7 Oct., 1713, at 
Worcester; died October, 1755, in the army or immediately after his 

1 Town records. 2 Worcester Deeds, 11:357. 


142 


FOURTH GENERATION 


143 


discharge; married Rachel Richardson, baptized 26 May, 1717, 
daughter of Nathaniel and Abigail (Reed) Richardson of Leicester. 1 
Children named in grandfather’s will, 1763, except Josiah: 

1-1 Jeduthan, “eldest son,” born 4 March, 1738-9, at Leicester; 2 died 
later than 1790; married Hannah Hayward. 

2 Rachel, born 26 Jan., 1740-1, at Worcester. Perhaps the Rachel 

warned from Lunenburg, 8 May, 1764. 

3 Josiah, born 23 Jan., 1743; at Worcester; 2 not living 1763. 

4-4 Daniel, born 1745; died 12 Jan., 1811; married Jemima Tucker; 
(2) Dorothy Johnson. 

5 Mary (Martha), born 31 March, 1747, at Worcester. 2 Mary Holden 

and Nathaniel Parkhill, published at Leicester 2 March, were 
married 30 May, 1766, at Lunenburg. 3 

6 Katherine, born 30 July, 1749. 

7- 7 Nathan (Nathaniel), born 12 May, 1751, at Worcester; 2 died 

25 June, 1806; married Experience Clark; (2) Prudence Alden. 
Guardianship was granted to Thomas Newhall, Jr., of Worcester, 
innholder, 14 Feb., 1766. 

8- 8 James ('posthumous ), born 15 Feb., 1756, at Leicester; 2 died 24 June, 

1839; married Eunice Hinman. Guardianship was granted to 
William and Jockton Green, both of Leicester, 7 March, 1771. 

Daniel Holden received from his father a gift of thirty acres in 
Worcester, bounded south by Blackstone River, otherwise by land of 
the grantor, Ephraim Rice and Thomas Adams, and by the road to 
Sutton. The deed was dated 21 Oct., 1736, and was doubtless on 
occasion of his expected marriage. 

In 1743 he was living on the east side of the road to Sutton, in a 
house he built on land belonging to his father, and in October of 
that year he bargained with John Chandler, Esq., one of the principal 
proprietors and important men of the town, to purchase half the grist 
mill, water privilege, dam and twenty-four acres land adjoining, which 
Chandler had bought of Ephraim and Eleakim Rice, formerly held 
by John and Joshua Child. To secure the purchase he and his 
father gave to Chandler deeds to their land and Daniel’s house. 
Chandler deeded the half interest in the mill property, 9 July, 1744, 
and the land held as security was released. Probably this venture 
did not prove so successful as anticipated, for a few years later 
Daniel sold his Worcester property and removed to Rutland, having 
obtained from the Proprietors of Rutland, 20 Nov., 1752, a deed to 
what was called the “schoolhouse lot,” and there erected a house 
in which his widow dwelt 10 April, 1756, when she sold the house 
and fifty acres to Matthias Stone for £116. 

Daniel Llolden in early deeds is described as husbandman, and as 
mason in later deeds and in the settlement of his estate. 


1 Richardson Memorial, 516. 


2 Town records 


3 County records. 


144 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


He enlisted in the army in 1755, and from 11 June to 28 October, 
1755, appears as sergeant on the rolls of the company commanded 
by Captain Solomon Keyes in the campaign against Crown Point. 1 
Administration was granted on his estate, his residence being given 
as New Rutland District, to Rachel Holden, 29 Nov., 1755. John 
Whitemore of Leicester was her surety. The inventory of the estate 
disclosed fifty acres with buildings, valued at £105, and small per¬ 
sonal estate, with small debts to Thomas and James Holden. 

1225 Captain Josiah {James, Justinian , Richard ), born 24 July, 
1721, at Worcester; died 2 Jan., 1777, at Barre {g.s. at Barre); married 
17 Dec., 1747, at Worcester, 2 Abigail Bond, born 9 April, 1722, died 
2 Feb., 1777, aged 55 {g.s. at Barre), daughter of John and Ruth 
(Whitney) Bond. 

There is an intention of marriage recorded at Lynn between Josiah 
Holden of Worcester and Jane Bancroft of Lynn 19 Feb., 1743-4. 
Children : 2 

1- 1 Benjamin, born 9 Jan., 1748-9, at Worcester; died 20 Sept., 1785; 

married Abigail Bacon. 

2- 2 James, born 9 June, 1750, at Worcester; died 12 Sept., 1827; married 

Hannah Bacon. 

3- 3 Josiah, born 30 Sept., 1751, at Worcester; died 29 June, 1829; married 

Mary Forbes. 

4- 4 Moses, born 9 July, 1753, at Barre; died 2 Feb., 1831; married Sarah 

Perry. 

5 John, born 17 Dec., 1755, at Barre; died 8 Sept., 1759 {g.s. at Barre). 
6-6 Nathan, born 2 March, 1758, at Barre; died 10 Sept., 1808; married 
Abigail Whiting. 

7 Abigail, born 22 March, 1760, at Barre; died there 26 Aug., 1838, 
“aged 78”; 2 married 22 May, 1783, at Barre, 2 Amos Whiting, born 
16 Nov., 1761, at Sherborn, died 1787, at Barre, son of Josiah 
and Abigail (Perry) Whiting. 3 She married (2) 17 July, 1788, at 
Barre, 2 Asa Richardson. 

Children: 3 

1. Josiah Whiting, born 1784; died 1790-1. 

2. Amos Whiting, born 1786; died 5 Aug., 1843, at Barre; 2 married 

1811, Lydia Stone of Newton. 

Josiah Holden was a housewright. He bought of Matthias Rice 
35 acres, part of his home place, 8 May, 1745. James Holden gave 
him for his “settlement and advancement," 7 Sept., 1749, 47 acres in 
Rutland District bounding on land owned by his brother Thomas. 
He removed thither in 1752. He was commissioned in June, 1771, 
lieutenant in company commanded by Captain William Buckminster, 
3d Worcester County regiment of militia, 4 Colonel John Murray. In 
1775 he was constable of Barre, and later became captain of the 

1 Archives 94:101. 2 Town records. J Whiting Genealogy, SI. 4 Archives 09:400. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


145 


local militia company and was recommissioned 5 x4pril, 1776. His 
gravestone, which bears an inscription to “Captain Josiah Holden,” 
and that of his wife, were restored by a descendant and are in the 
old cemetery at Barre Plains. 

Administration on his estate was granted 4 March, 1777, to Ben¬ 
jamin and James Holden, sons. The inventory disclosed property 
valued at £1349, of which the real estate comprised £937. In the 
division of the estate the saw-mill and o }/2 acres in the northerly corner 
of the farm was set off to Benjamin, who had already received £48, 
and to James was set off 68 acres in the southerly part of the farm, 
he also having had £48 of his portion. Moses received 68 acres in 
the northerly part of the farm, and Nathan 50 acres in Barre. The 
other children were paid sundry sums by James and Moses Holden 
to equalize their shares. On the 4 June, 1777, Josiah Whiting was 
granted guardianship of Nathan and Abigail Holden, “children of 
Captain Josiah Holden.” From papers on file it appears that after 
the death of the parents Abigail Bacon (122-7) had been engaged as 
housekeeper. 


1226 Thomas ( James , Justinian , Richard ), born 26 Oct., 1723, 
at Worcester; died later than 1790; married 21 March, 1750, at 
Hardwick, 1 Ruth Baker, born 14 Sept., 1726, daughter of Joseph 
and Esther (Harwood) Baker 2 of Marlboro. 

Thomas Holden of Rutland, yeoman, and Ruth his wife, joined 
4 Oct., 1756, with Esther Morse, widow, Benjamin Lee and Esther 
his wife, and Jeduthan Morse, all of Rutland, and Edward Baker of 
Petersham, Zerviah Johnson of Southborough, widow, Timothy 
Baker, Samuel Sherman, Solomon Bush and Submit his wife, and 
Sarah Morse, widow, all of Marlborough, in conveying for love and 
affection, to Rachel Green of Marlborough, a minor daughter of 
Rachel Morse of Marlborough, all right in estate of said Rachel 
Morse, spinster, deceased, and all right in estate of Samuel Morse 
of Marlborough, deceased, to which the said Rachel was heir, unless 
said Rachel Green die before attaining the age of twenty-one years. 3 

Thomas Holden and Ruth his wife and Esther Lee receipted, 
12 April, 1751, to Edward and Timothy Baker, for what was due 
them under a deed of their grandfather Edward Baker to said 
Edward and Timothy. 4 

Children, 5 born at Barre: 1 

1 Thomas, born 23 March, 1752; died 5 April, 1752. 

2 Levinah, born 2 Sept., 1753; married 12 March, 1778, David Hagar. 1 


2 Paige: History of Hardwick. 


3 Middlesex Deeds, 57:264. 


1 Town records. 

* Worcester Deeds, 29:282. , ,,,,,, , _ , 

s The F. A. Holden Ms. gives date of birth of John as 1765, and adds Abraham, born 10 July, 1762, of 
whom no mention is elsewhere found as a son of Thomas. See Abraham of Loudon, N. H., and 
Leicester, Vt. 


146 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children, born at Barre : l 

1. Joseph Hagar, born 4 June, 1780. 

2. Moses Hagar, born 22 Feb., 1783. 

3. David Hagar, born 5 May, 1785. 

4. Polly Hagar, born 6 Feb., 1787. 

5. Rossell Hagar, born 9 May, 1789. 

6. Lucas Hagar, born 24 March, 1793. 

3- 3 Aaron, born 23 June, 1755; married Rachel Richardson; (2) Anna. 

4- 4 Joseph, twin with Aaron, died 5 Nov., 1833, 2 at Chester, \ t.; married 

Mrs. Jemima (Stevens) Marsh. 

5 Kezia, born 8 April, 1757. 

6 Thomas, born 17 April, 1759; killed 11 Nov., 1778, 3 at Cherry ^ alley, 

N. Y., at the time his brother Aaron was taken prisoner. He 
enlisted 21 Aug., 1777, in Captain Nye’s company, Sparhawk’s 
regiment, and the same day marched to re-enforce General 
Stark at Bennington. There proving no need of the services 
of this command, it was dismissed Aug. 25, having 96 miles travel 
home allowed. He again enlisted 26 Sept., 1777, in the same 
company and marched to re-enforce the Northern Army. He was 
discharged 18 October. The following 13 March he enlisted out 
of the Seventh Worcester County regiment and joined Captain 
Reed’s company, Colonel Alden’s regiment, which W'as stationed 
at Cherry Valley to protect that settlement from the British and 
Indians. On the 11 Nov., 1778, the garrison of 250 men were 
surprised, thirty killed, forty taken prisoners, who with many 
inhabitants were carried to Canada. Colonel Alden was slain in his 
quarters, but Major Whiting defended the fort, wdiich Lieut. Aaron 
Holden vainly attempted to reach. 

7 Ruth, born 12 May, 1761; married 24 Feb., 1787, 1 Rufus Richardson 

of Barre, born 21 Sept., 1760, son of David and Esther (Smith) 
Richardson. 4 

8-8 John, born 13 Oct., 1763; died 11 Jan., 1845; married Irena Caryl. 

Thomas Holden had gift from his father of half the latter's farm 
in Barre, and settled there. He served in the French War as one of 
the detachment raised for the defence of New Rutland, which was 
commanded by his father, Sergeant James Holden, from April to 
October, 1747, his own service being for 7 weeks and 4 days. He was 
appointed sergeant in the company of Captain Caldwell which 
marched from New Rutland (Barre) 9 Aug., 1757, to Canterhook, 
240 miles, on the alarm for the relief of Fort William Henry, and 
served 18 days. He had probably served the preceding year, as we 
find that Thomas Holden was carried on the rolls of Captain William 
Peabody's company, Colonel Plaisted’s regiment, 11 Oct., 1756, 
as “sick at Albany.’’ In October, 1761, he was second lieutenant of 

1 Town records. 

2 The F. A. Holden Ms. gives date of birth of John as 1765, and adds Abraham, born 10 July, 1762, 
of whom no mention is elsewhere found as a son of Thomas. See Abraham of Loudon, N. H., and 
Leicester, Vt. 

3 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 4 Richardson Memorial, p. 729. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


147 


the local militia company, in 3d Worcester County regiment (Colonel 
John Murray). 1 

In 1 7 Lieutenant T homas Holden was chosen constable of Rarre, 
and on 14 July, 1/ 79, was chosen on Committee to enforce the Con¬ 
cord Resolves. A convention was held at Concord in July, 1779, 
to consider means to stabilize prices and prevent depreciation of 
the currency. He was one of the petitioners 30 Dec., 1776, for action 
on Lord Llowe's proposals. 2 

He bought and sold land in Rarre and Hubbardston, April and 
September, 1778, and in 1780. In later years he is styled “gentleman.” 
The Census of 1790 enumerated at Rarre, Thomas Holden head of a 
family, consisting of himself, two males under sixteen and one female. 
There is no record of his death or settlement of his estate. 

1229 Captain Aaron (James, Justinian , Richard ), born 26 Jan., 
1731-2, at Worcester; 3 died 30 Sept., 1802, at Rarre; 4 married 
20 April, 1758, at Rarre (Rutland District), Anna Clark, 3 born 
19 Aug., 1732, at Medfield, died 26 Nov., 1818, at Rarre. 4 
Children, born at Rarre: 3 

1 Rachel, born 6 May, 1758; died 21 May, 1758. 

2 Anna, born 27 May, 1759; married 14 May, 1778, at Barre, 3 Simeon 

Rawson, born 1753, died April, 1835, at Schroon Lake, N. Y., 
whither he had removed in 1798 from Shrewsbury, Vt., son of 
Josiah and Hannah (Blass) Rawson. He was a tanner. He had 
sixty-five grandchildren. 5 
Children: 5 

1. Polly Rawson, born 31 March, 1778; married Luman Nelson. 

They lived in Chester, N. Y. 

2. Anna Rawson, born 13 Nov., 1779; died 1847, at Schroon, N. Y.; 

married John Baker. 

3. Clark Rawson, born 9 March, 1781, at Orange; died 10 June, 

1871; married 31 Aug., 1806, Lavernia Pond. 

4. Sally Rawson, born 21 Oct., 1782; died 6 Sept., 1839, at Schroon; 

married Michael Codman. 

5. Simeon Rawson, born 19 Aug., 1784; died 1869; married 14 Jan., 

1814, at Schroon, Polly Northrop. Lived at Schroon. 

6. Lydia Rawson, born 9 July, 1786; married Doctor Dexter. 

7. Josiah Rawson, born 16 Aug., 1788; died 19 April, 1795. 

8. Lucinda Rawson, born 7 Sept., 1792; died 28 Feb., 1861; married 

17 Sept., 1814, at Schroon, Ashly Pond. Lived at Elizabeth¬ 
town, N. Y. 

9. Safford Rawson, born 9 Dec., 1794; married 28 May, 1828, 

Caroline Boyd. Lived at Leroy, N. Y. 

10. Laura Rawson, born 16 Jan., 1797; died 9 Sept., 1847; married 
William Spencer. Lived at Lawrence, N. Y. 

1 Archives, 92:69; 95:445; 99:300. 2 See Barre Centennial. 3 Town records. 

4 From family Bible of David Holden in 1908 in possession of Charles E. Holden of Proctor, Vt. 

8 Crane: Rawson Family, p. 49. 


148 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


11. Amanda Rawson, born 4 Feb., 1800; married Jeremiah Lock- 

wood of Schroon. 

12. Josiah Holden Rawson, born 1 Nov., 1802; married 21 Aug., 

1834, Mary Fowler, who died 20 March, 1844, at Schroon. 
He removed to Earleville, Ill. 

3 Martha, born 7 Oct., 1700; married 25 Oct., 1781, at Barre, Isaac 
Bullard, born 15 Jan., 1700, at Barre, son of Isaac and Lucy 
(Stevens) Bullard. 1 He lived in Orange and Barre, Mass., West 
Rush and Perry, N. Y., Charlestown and finally Columbus, Ind. 
(1821). He served in Holman’s and Rufus Putnam’s regiments in the 
Revolution, and was present at the battle of Harlem and W hite Plains, 
was in the Jersey campaign, and at the surrender of Burgoyne. 2 
Children: 

1. Justus Bullard, born 27 Jan., 1784; died 4 Jan., 1820; married 

9 Oct., 1807, Catherine Ashe. Lived in Philadelphia. 

2. Patty Bullard, born 10 March, 1780, at Orange, Mass.; married 

Eli Wright. Lived in Hanover, N. Y. 

3. Mary Bullard, born 19 June, 1788, at Orange; married Jedediah 

Olmstead. 

4. Isaac Augustus Bullard, born 29 Oct., 1791; died 9 April, 1827; 

married 19 Dec., 1810, Betsey Barlow, born 5 August, 1797, 
at Luna, N. Y., died 28 Feb., 1828, daughter of Benjamin and 
Phebe (Dowd) Barlow. He was a tanner. Lived at Hartland 
and Ridgeway, N. Y. 3 

5. Hannah Holden Bullard, baptized 3 Nov., 1799; married 2 Feb., 

1818, Robert P. Babcock. Lived in Chemung, N. Y., 1824. 
0. Aaron Stevens Bullard, baptized 3 Nov., 1799; married Mary 
Dolph. Removed to Indiana. 

7. Anna Bullard, born 1805; married Lyman Harrington. Lived 
near Vernon, Ind., in 1821. 

4-4 David, born 7 May, 1702; died 2 Oct., 1830; married Hannah Mason. 
5 Hannah, born 11 Feb., 1704; said to have married Joel Stockwell 
in 1789.4 

0 Rebecca, born 19 March, 1700; died 23 March, 1835, at Barre, 
unmarried. 

7-7 Elijah, born 4 Jan., 1708; married Sarah Brown. 

8 Rachel, born 4 Dec., 1709; married 0 Jan., 1793, at Barre, 7 Samuel 

Wilson of Bethel. 

9 Sarah, born 25 Jan., 1772. 

J— 10 Rufus, 5 born 28 March, 1774; died 3 Feb., 1842; married Anna 
Partridge. 

11 Aaron, born 11 Aug., 1783; died at age of three years. 

1 Information of Albert Waring Hinman of Braddock, Penn., who married Grace Ellen Bullock, daughter 
of William Holden Bullock and granddaughter of Isaac Augustus Bullock. 

2 Crane: Rawson Family , p 49. 3 Archives, 187:257; 234:417; 238:80; 187; 189. 

4 This marriage is suggested rather than asserted, in list of children printed in the Leominster Gazette, 
1908, unless it be the date alone which is queried. There was a Hannah Holden whose birth is given in 
family records as 21 Feb., 1771, who died 26 March, 1856, at Windsor, Vt., and who married 26 Nov., 1789, 
at place unknown, Joel Stowell, born 17 Nov., 1768, died 6 Feb., 1844, at Windsor, son of Jacob and Beulah 
(Livermore) Stowell. The latter were married in Douglas, Mass., lived in Uxbridge and about 1778 removed 
to Windsor. There are circumstances which seem to connect this Hannah with Cambridge. See note page 
126. 

5 Rufus Holden wrote a letter under date of 13 Jan., 1820, which was quoted by A. W. Hinman to 
Mr. R. W. Holden, giving certain family information confirmatory to the above family record. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


149 


Aaron Holden enlisted 10 April, 1755, and served until 11 Dec., 
1755, as centinel in company commanded by Captain Solomon 
Keyes (succeeded by Captain John Stebbins, 9 September), in the 
Crown Point expedition. In 1757 he was a member of the company 
commanded by Captain James Caldwell, Colonel Ruggles’s regiment, 
and marched on the alarm of 9 August for the relief of Fort William 
Henry, as far as Canterhook. He was credited with 18 days service 
and 240 miles travel. 1 

Although his name is not found on any of the lists of those who 
marched on the alarm of the 19 April, 1775, nor of any organization 
until after the battle of Bunker Hill, yet he was in the service at that 
time and participated in the fight. It is a family tradition that the 
head of his sword was knocked off by a British bullet during the 
retreat from the Hill, and that he picked it up, and brought it away 
with him. This relic remained in the family for many years. The 
tradition is confirmed by a claim made by him against the state for 
loss of a sword at Bunker Hill, mentioned in the printed Massachu¬ 
setts Revolutionary Rolls. 

He is named as sergeant of the main guard under Colonel Laommi 
Baldwin at Prospect Hill, 16 July, 1775, and in the following October 
appears on the muster roll of the company commanded by Captain 
Black in Brewer’s regiment, where it appears he enlisted 20 April 
in that company. He was commissioned second lieutenant, 1 Jan., 
1776, of company commanded by Captain Aaron Haynes r Whit¬ 
comb's regiment, and was in camp at Ticonderoga 27 Nov., 1776. 
On the 31 Dec., 1776, he was transferred to Captain Reid’s company 
in Colonel Ichabod Alden’s regiment, with rank of first lieutenant, 
commission to date from 14 Nov., 1776. He was with the regiment 
when it was ordered to Cherry Valley, N. Y ., to protect the frontier 
from the raids by Indians and Tories, and was captured when the 
garrison was surprised and overpowered, 11 Nov., 1778, at which 
time many of the inhabitants and soldiers were massacred. He was 
taken to Canada and remained a prisoner of war until October or 
November, 1781, although he appears to have been released to visit 
his home, perhaps in 1780. Fie was reported entitled to promotion 9 
Sept., 1780, and was commissioned captain 16 September in Lieut.- 
Colonel Brook’s (7th) regiment. 

Aaron Holden had a gift from his father of one-half the latter’s 
farm in Barre, on which the father dwelt, 5 July, 1756. The remaining 
half had been deeded to Thomas. He purchased of Colonel John 
Murray about 152 acres, with buildings thereon, being lot 53 in 
New Rutland, 9 Dec., 1761. 

On the 22 Oct., 1781, the Selectmen of Barre petitioned the General 
Court to take measures toward his release “now a prisoner of war in 

^Archives, 187:257; 234:417; 238:80; 187; 189. 


150 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Canada.” The 1 Nov., 1782, a resolve of the General Court directed 
a supply of cloth and other clothing to be delivered to Captain Aaron 
Holden, and ten days later he petitioned for payment of note given 
him for his services. 

His grandson, Eli T. Holden, recorded his recollections of what his 
grandfather had told him of his army life and captivity. A copy of 
this statement appeared in the Leominster Gazette of 18 Sept., 1908, 
part of an article entitled “Captain Aaron Holden’s Tardy Recog¬ 
nition,” telling of the erection of a stone to his memory by his 
descendants William Holden of Leominster and Fred G. Holden of 
Boston. The memorial stands in the old Caldwell cemetery a mile 
and a half southeast of Barre village. The following is extracted from 
the above mentioned article: 

Aaron Holden was a member of the Massachusetts Society of the Cin¬ 
cinnati, and his original receipt reads as follows: 

Boston, March 10, 1784. 

Rec d of Captain Aaron Holden one month’s pay to be appropriated to 
the establishment of a Fund agreeable to the institution of the Society of 
the Cincinnati. 

Henry Jackson Treasurer 
Mass* 8 Society 

This receipt was in the possession of a descendant, Rufus B. Holden, at 
Barre, in 189G. 

He was one of the Minutemen, obligated to go at a minute’s notice. At 
the time lie was called to Bunker Hill his eight-years-old boy, Elijah, was 
sick and not expected to live. Before starting, he went into the room where 
his son lay and bade him good-bye, having his little squirrel gun in his hand. 

He told me about the battle. He stated that he had a good many shots at 
the enemy, and took as good aim as he ever did when shooting squirrels. He 
did not know that he killed a man; but once, when he fired, the man he 
aimed at fell. 

He said they were not permitted to fire till the enemy were so near they 
could see the whites of their eyes, and, w hen they did fire, the w hite stockings 
flew r up as the men fell backward. 

When on the retreat a ball struck his sw r ord, or sidearm (he was a sergeant), 
so that about half the ball hit the scabbard and half the hilt of the sw r ord, 
and jarred off the head, a brass eagle, which he picked up and carried home. 
He made application, with others, for payment for “my Loss on Bunker hill” 
which w r as allowed and paid. 

Follow ing is a copy of an order found now with the Revolutionary Records 
of the State: 

To Henry Gardner Esq Tres Sir pleas To pay to the Barrer Here 
of John Mason the money the Court allowed me for my Loss on 
Bunker hill and his Receit shall Be your Discharg from me. 

Watertown June y e 21 1776 


Aaron Holden. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


151 


He was at Cherry Valley, N. Y., under Col. Ichabod Alden, at the time of 
the terrible Indian massacre, Nov. 11, 1778, and was captured by the Indians. 

I do not know the particulars of the fight, but the American soldiers were 
terribly cut up, and grandfather ran into a building with the determination 
of defending himself till death. As he ran in, a shower of bullets came spatter¬ 
ing after him, but did not hit him. He soon changed his mind and, clubbing 
(reversing) his gun, ran out and cried for quarter. A big Indian took him 
and claimed him as his own. I think he was a chief. I do not know that 
they took other prisoners, but think they did. You wonder why they took 
grandfather prisoner? Probably because a live prisoner would bring more 
than a scalp. The British paid $8.00 for scalps. 

The Indians with their prisoners started on the journey to Buffalo to sell 
the prisoners and scalps. They had a long, tedious journey and many rivers 
to ford, as there were no bridges. One time, when they were going through 
a river, grandfather was nearly swamped. The water was up to his waist, 
and he was carrying the camp kettle, which was a bad thing to carry, and 
he said to the old chief, “You’ll lose Yankee.” The Indian replied, “Take 
hold my blanket.” So he made a grab and caught hold of his belt, which 
was better, and he was saved. He marched behind the old Indian, and he 
knew several of the scalps that were on his string, his late comrades’, and one 
in particular, a red-haired scalp, his bunk mate’s. 

At one time they had gone three days without any kind of food; they 
came where there were some cattle, and it was not long before he was handed 
some roasted tripe. He did not know but that it had been rinsed, but nothing 
more, but it tasted as good as anything he ever ate. One time he had a 
biscuit. He did not want to eat it then, so he broke off the tip of a small 
tree, and stuck the biscuit on it, but when he wanted it, it was not there. 
He asked what became of it. The answer was, “Me don’t know; hoss eat, 
s’pose. ” Finally they reached Buffalo and called on the commander of the 
British forces, when the Indian said, “We bring you some Bostonian meat — 
some dry, some green.” So the British bought both dry and green. 

Grandfather was taken to Montreal and kept there eighteen months in 
close confinement, then let out on parole and came home, but was never 
exchanged. I think he must have been at home when he was appointed 
Captain and, as he was not exchanged, he could not enter active service again. 

1241 Ebenezer ( Ebenezer , Justinian , Richard ), born 1713, prob¬ 
ably at or near Lebanon, Conn.; died 1780, at Granville, “aged 77”; 
married, second, Sybil, born 1727, died 1754, “aged 27” buried at 
Granville. 

Three generations of Ebenezers seem assured from the entries of 
burials at Granville, in Rev. James Cooley’s record. He mentions 
officiating at the burial of Ebenezer Holden in 1780, who was aged 
“77” years at death, at the burial of Sybil Holden in 1754, aged 27 
years at death, and at the burial of Ebenezer in 1790, aged 60 years, 
who is known to be the one who married Martha Holle, and undoubt¬ 
edly son of Ebenezer and Sybil. The inference is that Mr. Cooley 
wrote 77 for 67, or perhaps the age should read 70 years. Ages at 


152 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


death are liable to error in contemporary records, such as that of a 
visiting clergyman. 

Children r 1 

1- 1 Ebenezer, born 1730; died Nov., 1790; married Martha Holle. 

By second marriage: 

2 Darius (Derias), born 20 Feb., 1740, at Granville. Darius is not 

enumerated in the Census of 1790, and little more is known of him 
than that he enlisted 6 May, 1775, in company of Captain Lebbeus 
Ball, Colonel Timothy Danielson’s regiment, and w T as in camp at 
Roxbury, Nov., 1775. He again enlisted 17 Aug., 1777, on the 
Bennington Alarm in company commanded by Captain William 
Cooley, Colonel John Mosley’s Hampshire county regiment, and 
served until the 19 August. He was then living in Granville. 
In 1820 he was of West Chester or Poundridge, N. Y., and applied 
for a pension. 

3 Addomia (Adonijah), born 12 May, 1748. Adonijah Holden was one 

of the residents of Haverhill or vicinity in Grafton Co., N. H., 
who signed the boycott of Asa Porter 28 Jan., 1775. He enlisted 
for Piermont, the next town to Haverhill, 15 June, 1775, in Captain 
Timothy Bedell’s company and was discharged 31 Dec., 1775. 2 No 
further trace of him. 

4 Elizabeth, born 5 Oct., 1751. 

5 Sybil, born 5 Dec., 1754. 

1243 Jabez ( Ebenezer , Justinian , Richard ), born 7 Sept., 1721, 
at Windham, Conn.; died 24 Feb., 1798, at Sandisfield, Mass., “in 
the 77th year of his age” ( g.s . old Center cemetery, Sandisfield); 
married 3 Oct., 1751, at Oxford, 3 Rebecca “Ware” (Ward 4 ), who 
died 1 July, 1782, at Sandisfield, “in the 66th year of her age” ( g.s .), 
born 10 Dec., 1715, daughter of Eleazer and Deliverance (Trowbridge) 
Ward. 4 The will of Jabez Holden dated 10 Aug. 1791, was probated 
5 July, 1798. 

Children, born at Oxford, Mass. : 3 

1 Elizabeth, born 14 March, 1753; married- Hyde. 

Children: 5 

1. Jabez Hyde. 

2. William Holden Hyde. 

2- 2 Samuel, born 10 Aug., 1755; married Abigail Ayrault. 

3 William, born 10 June, 1757; died 9 June, 1786, “aged 29” (g.s. 
at Sandisfield). He was a physician. 

Jabez Holden was a physician. His descendants know nothing of 
his antecedents. Ebenezer Holden was of Bedford Plantation (now 
Granville) in 1745, and added to his original holding there, one of his 

1 Granville records. 2 N. H. State Papers, 25:2, and Revolutionary Rolls. 

3 Town records. 

4 R. W. Holden Ms.. See Ward Family, (1851), p. 21. 

5 Mentioned in Dr. Jabez Holden’s will, and given land in Bethlehem. See letter of William B. 
Perry, Jr., of Lakeville, Conn., from whom the Sandisfield notes were obtained. 



FOURTH GENERATION 


153 


purchases being of Daniel Brown of Bedford in 1748. Four years 
prior to this, 29 Sept., 1744, Jabez Holden of Pomfret, Conn., bought 
a homestall in No. 3 of the Housatonic Townships, which later 
became Sandisfield. 1 He did not then settle there, but in March, 
1752 bought 62 acres in Oxford, where he remained until at least 
1760. 2 He was one of the proprietors of house lots in Sandisfield, 
between December, 1758 and 10 March, 1760, and his name appears 
among the subscribers to the Covenant of the Congregational Church 
at Sandisfield dated 14 Feb., 1756, but he signed at a later date. He 
was admitted to the church by letter from “Ashford” 13 Sept., 
1761. Miss Larned fails to mention Dr. Holden in her history of 
Windham County. 

He was enumerated in the Census of 1790 as of Sandisfield, having 
in his family two females. His son Samuel was head of another 
family in that town. 

1631 Benjamin ( Joseph, Samuel, Richard), born probably about 
1718, baptized 21 May, 1721, at Reading church (now Wakefield); 
died 1790, at Framingham; married 24 Aug., 1743, at Reading, 3 
Abigail How, of Framingham, probably his cousin. She is perhaps 

that “wife of-Holden of Stoneham,” whose death is said to be 

recorded on the church records of South Reading in 1745-6. The 
birth of Abigail, daughter of Isaac and Lydia (Jackson) How, is found 
28 Jan., 1725, at Framingham. He married, second, 9 July, 1751, at 
Framingham, 3 Sarah Gallot, probably from Stoneham. She was 
admitted to the church in Framingham, June, 1752. The town was 
allowed 10 March, 1752, to “ Caution Sarah, wife of Benjamin Holden, 
who came to reside in Framingham, June last.” 

Children: 

1 Child, born 1744, perhaps in Stoneham or Woburn, probably died 

soon. 

2 Benjamin, baptized 13 July, 1746, at Reading (now Wakefield 

church); died “aged four months, of fever,” Nov., 1746. 3 

3- 3 Isaac, born 12 April, 1748; living 1790; married Isabella. Guardian¬ 

ship to Daniel Greene, 1765. 

By second marriage; 

4- 4 Benjamin, born 29 Aug., 1752, at Framingham; died 20 April, 1822; 

married Mrs. Elizabeth Ballard. 

5- 5 Joseph, born 1762-3, probably at Reading; not living 1790; married 

Hannah Newton; (2) Jenny Atwood. 

6 Mary, married 14 Jan., 1796, at Stoneham, John Henry Clamrod, 
described as a “foreigner, residing in Stoneham,” and as “a 
Prusion,” who died 13 May, 1809, at Stoneham. 3 

1 Hampden Deeds, Q:120. 

2 Worcester Deeds, 33:211, 213; 36:205; 45:108. 

3 Town records. 



154 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


It does not appear from the records that Benjamin Holden pos¬ 
sessed any real estate, nor is there any settlement of his estate. He 
lived in that part of Reading known as South Reading, now Wakefield, 
having previously lived in Woburn. In 1747 he settled in Framing¬ 
ham where he was enumerated in the Census of 1790, having then a 
family consisting of himself and two females. His migrations are 
traced in the court records. He and wife Abigail were cautioned by 
Woburn 10 July, 1744, and with wife Abigail and child were cautioned 
by Reading 11 Dec., 1744, having come from Woburn in October. 
He and wife Abigail and Naomi Holden (probably his mother) were 
cautioned by Framingham, 23 May, 1747, which seems to preclude 
the assumption that the Airs. Holden who died in January, 1746, was 
his wife. His second wife was cautioned by Framingham in 1752; 
and in December, 1762, Benjamin, wife and two children, were 
cautioned by Reading, having recently come from Framingham. 
In March, 1764, the same family were cautioned by Stoneham, 
having recently come from Reading. He returned to Framingham. 
His name is found 26 April, 1757, among the names of those men in 
Framingham, between the ages of 16 and 60, who formed the Alarm 
List of the company commanded by Jeremiah Belknap. 1 The per¬ 
sistence with which he and his family were cautioned by the various 
towns in which he lived showed that he was not possessed of estate 
by inheritance in those places, and that probably it was not known 
in what town he was born, and that it was feared that he might become 
a charge on the town. These cautions are in nowise derogatory to 
the character of himself or family. He may have been a man of poor 
health as well as of few worldly goods. 

1633 Joseph ( Joseph , Samuel , Richard ), born perhaps in Stone- 
ham about 1725; died later than 1791, probably in Boxford or some 
nearby town; married 6 Feb., 1754, at Ipswich, Mary Candage. 

At the time of his marriage, according to his intention at Stoneham, 
9 January, he was “resident in Stoneham.” He was in need of help 
in 1773, and Stoneham voted to bring him and his family from 
Ipswich. Air. W. F. Bucknam thinks he served in the Revolutionary 
Army. If so he may have been the Joseph Holden who served from 
22 Oct. to 23 Nov., 1779, in Captain Joshua Walker s company, 
Colonel Samuel Denny’s regiment, which was raised for three months 
and marched to Claverack to reenforce the Continental Army. 
He may have had other service. See unplaced military records. 
In 1791 he was living in Boxford, where his brother James had lived 
in 1783, as noted by Perley in “History of Boxford.” “A cellar in 
the Ridges marks the site of his house.” 2 He is not enumerated in 
the Census of 1790, as head of a family, in any Essex county town. 

1 Archives, 95:315. 2 Perley: Dwellings of Boxford. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


155 

Joseph Holden was admitted to full communion with the church at 
Stoneham, 28 May, 1741. 

Children, baptized at Linebrook parish church: 

1 James, baptized 12 Oct., 1755. James Holden 1 and Abigail Hoit 

were married 12 Dec., 1/76, at Ipswich. (South Church records.) 

2 Molly, baptized 30 Sept., 1759. 

3 Joseph, baptized 19 Dec., 1762; married Sybel Morse. 2 

1641 Samuel (Samuel , Samuel, Richard ), born 2 (baptized 12) 
Oct., 1729, 3 at Stoneham; died 12 March, 1800; 4 aged 70 years, 
5 months; 3 at Stoneham; married 6 June, 1757, at Stoneham, as “of 
Marblehead,” Martha Call, born 20 4 (9) 3 April, 1734, died 13 Dec., 
1830, aged 96 years, 8 months, 4 variously called of Stoneham and of 
Woburn, 3 daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Sprague) Call. 5 He was 
received to full communion in Stoneham church, 15 Nov, 1744. 
Children : 4 

1 Martha, born 27 May, 1759; died 13 April, 1791 ; 5 married 25 Dec., 

1785, at Stoneham, 3 Adin Dike, who removed to Bethel, Vt. 
Children, 5 two died in infancy: 

1. William Dike. 

2 Abigail, born 22 June, 1763; died 15 Jan., 1785; 5 married 10 March, 

1784, 5 Calvin Dike, brother of Adin Dike above. 6 
Child: 

1. Jesse Dike, born 2 Jan., 1785, at Stoneham; died 21 April, 
1860; married 24 Dec., 1804, at Stoneham, Elizabeth Willey, 
born 19 Nov., 1786, died aged more than 90 years, daughter 
of Nathan and Priscilla (Hadley) Willey. “The last house in 
Stoneham, which stood partly in Woburn, was the Jesse Dike 
house, occupied by William Holden about 1800. 7 

3 Samuel, born 14 Aug., 1766 (baptized 17 Aug. at Marblehead); died 

13 Nov., 1833, at Swanzey, N. H., s.p.; married 9 (8) 8 May, 1810, 
at Bernardston, Riioda Slate (Sleaght), 8 born 15 Feb., 1771, 
died 1 Oct., 1839, daughter of William and Abigail Slate. 5 The 
historian of Swanzey states that Samuel Holden lived a time at 
Bernardston, whence he removed to Swanzey, where he was 
admitted to the Baptist Church in 1810, and became a lay preacher. 
In 1809 land under mortgage to Ebenezer Holden, being two parcels 
in Stoneham, was taken by execution. Both Samuel and Ebenezer 
were described as cordwainers. 

4-4 William, born 2 April, 1768 (baptized 10 April, at Marblehead); 

1 There is record of a James Holden who served as a marine on the frigate Diane, Capt. Samuel Nicholson, 
10 Jan.-31 May, 1782. He has not been identified. 

2 W. F. Bucknam papers, where it is stated that Joseph and Sally had a son, Joseph, who married in 
1819, Sally Crocker. See 16315-2. 

3 Stoneham records. 4 Abiel Holden Ms. 5 F. A. Holden Ms. 

information of Colonel Lyman Dike of Boston, born 24 Aug., 1821, one of the sons of Jesse Dike. 

Calvin and Jesse Dike, brothers, were from Woodstock, Vt., which explains the “warning” given Calvin 

Dike, prior to the birth of Jesse. The family enjoyed local prominence. Further details are to be found in 
F. A. Holden Ms. 

7 History of Middlesex County, 2:484. 8 R. W. Holden Ms. 


156 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


died 14 March, 1853; married Elizabeth Brown; (2) Abigail 
Converse; (3) Betsy Simonds. 

5-5 Thomas, born 11 April, 1770 (baptized 15 April, at Marblehead); 
died 18 Dec., 1842; married Polly Monroe. 

6 Elizabeth, born 22 May, 1772 (baptized 31 May, at Marblehead); 
married 16 Nov., 1797, at Stoneham, Reuben Dike at Woodstock, 
Vt. 1 They removed to Sterling, \ t., and later to Coventry, 2 Penn. 
Children: 3 

1. Asa Dike, born 10 Dec., 1799, at Woodstock; living March, 

1875, at Richmond, Penn.; married 1 Jan., 1818, at Sterling, 
Jane Eaton, born 29 March, 1798, at Johnson, Yt., died 
26 April, 1869, at Richmond, where they had settled in 1861, 
having previously lived at Scott, N. Y., Troy, Sullivan and 
Covington, Penn. 

2. Sally (Martha) Dike, born 27 Oct., 1801; died 6 June, 1881, at 

Covington, Pa.; married 1816, Enos Cleveland, son of 
Edward Cleveland. 

3. Son, born and died 1804. 

4. Betsey Dike, born 30 Aug., 1805, at Sterling; married 30 Aug., 

1831, Aaron Cleveland. 

5. Alice Dike, born 16 Nov., 1807; married 23 Jan., 1834, at Scott, 

N. Y., Henry Cleveland, son of John Cleveland. 

6. Typhena Maria Louisa Dike, born 14 May, 1810. 

7. Lois Dike, born 12 Dec., 1812. 

7-7 Asa, born 11 Dec., 1773; died 29 May, 1856; married Sally Miller; 

(2) Mary Richardson; (3) Nancy Wyman; (4) Betsey Gould; 
(5) Mrs. Lawrence. 

8 Lois, born 22 Sept., 1775; married 16 Nov., 1797, at Stoneham, 

Daniel Hadley of Woburn. 1 
Children, born at Woburn: 4 

1. Daniel Hadley, born 4 (11) Aug., 1799; married Sept., 1820, 

Sally Hadley. Lived in Woburn. 

2. Reuben Hadley, born 28 Oct., 1802; married 24 March, 1828, 

Sarah Challis. Lived in Woburn. 

3. Lois Hadley, born 5 June, 1805. 

4. Stephen Hadley, born 7 May, 1807; died 15 Dec., 1809. 

5. Elizabeth Hadley, born 21 March, 1811. 

6. Stephen Hadley, born 30 Aug., 1814; married Anna. Lived in 

Woburn. 

9 Ebenezer, born 12 Feb., 1780; died 26 Aug., 1813, 5 unmarried. He 

was a cordwainer. By will dated 31 July, 1813, he gave to his mother 
Martha Holden 24 acres in Stoneham, during her life, which was 
part of the estate of his father. To brothers and sisters, Samuel, 
William, Thomas, Asa Holden, Elizabeth Dike, Lois Hadley, and 
nephews Jesse and William Dike. Brother Thomas Holden, 
executor. 

1 Stoneham records. 2 Asa Holden notes. 

3 Abiel and F. A. Holden Mss. Descendants of Asa Dike may be found in Whitney'Family of Conn., vol. 2. 

4 Woburn records, and Asa Holden’s (16417) journal, where appear several pages of family records, 

including grandchildren of Lois. He copied some items from a book of his brother Ebenezer, which bore the 
date 9 April, 1796. 6 F. A. Holden Ms. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


157 


Concerning Samuel Holden, his son Asa wrote: “He moved from 
Stoneham to Marblehead when he was about twenty-five, where he 
married and had six children. xAfter he had lived there about eight 
years he removed to Stoneham. About 1763 he had nervous fever. 
He died after being married 42 years, 9 months, 6 days. He had nine 
children. He belonged to the church in Stoneham about fifty years.” 
His father wrote of Samuel: “Him the measles took at about fifteen 
months old (by) which means he was blind about the space of three 
months, after which his sight was restored him again, through the 
wonderful goodness of God.” 1 His brother Benjamin was blind in 
his old age, as also was his cousin James. In 1784 Samuel was taxed 
for two polls, £8-6-8 real estate and 16sh. 4 pence personal. He sold 
20 acres land in Stoneham, 21 June, 1786, for thirty pounds, which 
bounded on other land held by him. Administration on his estate 
was granted to his son Thomas, with will annexed, 8 May, 1800. 
The will, dated 28 Sept., 1785, gave his whole estate to his wife 
Martha during her life, then to be divided equally among his children. 
Son Samuel and grandson Jesse Dike were especially named. The 
inventory valued the home place and 42 acres, and 19 acres in three 
lots, at $1123. There were debts of $634. 

Such values as these, for a farm capable of yielding a fair support 
for a small family, show the great contrast between those times and 
the present. 


1645 John ( Samuel , Samuel , Richard ), born 24 Oct., 1738, at 
Stoneham; 2 died 28 Feb., 1807, at Otisfield, Me.; 3 married 5 Dec., 
1760 (intention 22 Nov. 1760), 2 at Stoneham, Mary Knight, born 
28 Feb., 1741-2, died 21 May, 1742, aged 100 years, 2 months, 9 
days ( g.s .), 3 daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Richardson) Knight. 2 
Mr. and Mrs. Holden are buried on Meeting House Hill, Otisfield. 3 
John Holden and his sister Dorcas were twins. 

Children: 4 

1- 1 John, born 28 Dec., 1761, at Stoneham; 5 died 22 Dec., 1828; married 

Sybil T. Moors. 

2- 2 Daniel, born 15 Oct., 1763, at Stoneham; 5 died 23 July, 1849; married 

Elizabeth Hill. 

3 Mary, born 9 Feb., 1765, at Stoneham; 5 died 20 Feb., 1810; 6 married 
9 March, 1784, James Hill of Reading, died 21 Feb., 1812, at 
Stoneham, son of Joseph and Lydia Hill. 5 
Children, born at Stoneham: 5 

1. Aaron Hill, born 26 Nov., 1787. 

2. Amos Hill, twin with Aaron. 

3. Daniel Hill, born 28 Feb., 1790. 


1 Asa Holden’s journal. 
3 G. B. Holden Ms. 


2 Town records. 
4 Abiel Holden Papers. 


e F. A. Holden Ms., information probably obtained in part from G. B. Holden. 


5 Stoneham records 


158 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


4. Elizabeth Hill, born 27 March, 1792. 

5. John Hill, born 3 May, 1794; married Rebecca Wiley ; 1 (2) 

Lydia D. 1 

6. Joseph Hill, twin with John. 

7. Lydia Hill, born 29 Sept., 1795. 

8. Levi Hill, born 28 Oct., 1797. 

9. Nancy Hill, born 27 Oct., 1799; married John Holbrook. 1 

10. Asa Hill, born 15 Jan., 1802. 

11. Francis Hill, born 2 Oct., 1805. 

12. Luther Hill, born 3 Feb., 1808; married Sarah Atwell 

Stevens . 1 

13. Otis Hill, born 30 Jan., 1808. 

14. Patty Hill, born (?Dec.), 1813. 

4 Sarah, born 4 May, 1767, at Stoneham; 2 died 4 (or 14) Sept., 1840; 3 
married 4 Aug., 1790, Benjamin Falkner of Malden. 3 
Children; 3 born at Malden: 

1. Sally Falkner, born 18 Aug., 1791. 

2. Lydia Falkner, born 11 Nov., 1792; married 30 May, 1812, 

John Graham. 

3. Elizabeth Falkner. 

4. Nancy Falkner, born 19 April, 1795; married 10 Oct., 1816, 

Asa Wilson. 

5. Benjamin Falkner, born 29 July, 1797. 

6. Sally Falkner, born 5 March, 1799; married 27 May, 1823, 

Joseph Pierpont Perkins, born 10 Dec., 1793, son of Jacob 
and Rebecca Perkins. 

7. David Falkner, born 24 March, 1802; married 7 Jan., 1827, 

Mary Johnson. 

8. Mary Falkner, born 22 Dec., 1804; married 14 May, 1823, 

David P. Shepard. 

9. Aaron Falkner, born 14 April, 1808; married 6 Feb., 1840, 

Harriet Ferrell. 

5- 5 Jesse, born 17 May, 1796, at Stoneham; 2 died 16 Jan., 1860; married 

Sally Dyer. 

6- 6 Nathan, born 22 Aug., 1773, at Stoneham; 2 died 11 March, 1853; 

married Esther Damon. 

7- 7 Peter, born 14 March, 1775; died 7 March, 1844; married Hannah 

Watts Brintnal. 

8 Nancy, born 1780; 3 died 15 (l 4 ) April, 1817, aged 37 years; 4 married 
30 Nov., 1797, at Malden, 4 Abner Breeden of Malden. 3 
Children, 3 born at Malden: 4 

1. Nancy Breeden, born 7 June, 1798. 

2. Abner Breeden, born 7 Feb., 1800; died 17 Jan., 1804. 

3. Mary Breeden, born 1 June, 1802. 

4. Abner Breeden born 8 Sept., 1806. 

5. Lewis Breeden, born 28 Aug., 1810. 

6. Franklin Breeden, born 17 Dec., 1812. 

1 Bucknam Papers. 2 Stoneham records. 

*F. A. Holden Ms., information probably obtained in part from G. B. Holden. 

‘Town records. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


159 


7. Harris Breeden, born 17 Aug., 1814. 

8. Aaron Breeden, born 1 May, 181C. 

9-9 Ezra, born 11 April, 1782; died 25 March, 1853; married Phebe 
Nichols. 

J-10 Philo, married Martha Reed. 

11 Child, died in infancy. 

12 Child, died in infancy. 

Lieutenant John Holden in some of the several land conveyances 
to which he was a party is styled “gentleman,” in others “tailor.” 
He learned the tailor’s trade, as did his sons John and Daniel, and 
probably pursued this calling until his removal to Otisfield. He lived 
for many years subsequent to the Revolution in Malden. In 1785 
he sold the house and lands in Stoneham, which had been his father’s. 
The Census of 1790 enumerated his family in Malden, consisting of 
self, two males under sixteen and two females. He is said to have 
removed to Otisfield in 1797 and also the year 1800 is given, the 
latter being the probable date, as he was first taxed there in 1801. 
He is said to have settled near Chambers' Corner, about half a mile 
south of the meeting-house on the hill, where in the little cemetery 
black slate stones mark his grave and that of his wife . 1 He was 
constable in Stoneham in 1782, and on the tax list of that year is 
assessed for one poll, £18 real estate, £1-1-0 personal. 

He obtained his title of lieutenant during the Revolution, receiv¬ 
ing his commission in 1779. His service record follows: 

Member of the company of minute men commanded by Captain 
Samuel Sprague, which responded to the Alarm of 19 April, 1775. 
Enlisted in army 20 May, 1775, in a company commanded by Captain 
Sprague, in Colonel Loammi Baldwin’s regiment (formerly Gerrish’s), 
and was in camp at Chelsea in Oct. and 30 Dec., 1775. He reen¬ 
listed Dec., 1775, in company commanded by Captain Richard Dodge 
in Baldwin’s (26th) regiment, and was a corporal prior to June, 1776. 
He was among those men who at the critical moment December, 1776, 
at Trenton, agreed to “tarry six weeks” beyond the end of their 
term of enlistment, which expired 31 Dec., 1776. 

He was commissioned 6 April, 1779, as first lieutenant in company 
commanded by Captain Josiah Green, 2d Middlesex regiment militia 
(Colonel Jonathan Fox of Woburn), and as first lieutenant of com¬ 
pany commanded by Captain William Green, 4th Middlesex regiment 
(Colonel Cyprian How). He served from 5 July to 1 Nov., 1780, in 
Rhode Island, and was encamped at Butt’s Hill. There is a tradition 
in the family that his son John was his father’s “waiter” during 
part of his service, but no record of the latter’s enlistment has been 
found. 


1 G. B. Holden Ms. 


160 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


The John Holden whose name appears as lieutenant on roll dated 
11 July, 1783, is the 2d regiment (Lieut.-Colonel Ebenezer Sprout), 
is probably this John. 

In the pension application of his widow, December, 1837, she then 
being of Rajmiond, the statement is made that John Holden served 
as a lieutenant in Captain Gage's company. This identifies him with 
the John Holden (Houlding) who was a lieutenant in company com¬ 
manded by Captain Isaac Gage, in Lieut.-Colonel Joseph Webb’s 
regiment, which marched 8 Oct., 1781, being a company detached 
from Colonel Dana’s Middlesex regiment, to join the Continental 
Army near West Point, and which was dismissed 3 Dec., 1781. 1 

The family tradition of service of three years in the Revolution 2 
is borne out by the above record. Mrs. Moses Spiller, a great grand¬ 
daughter, remembered accompanying her mother to call on Mrs. 
Holden shortly before she died. 

Filed with the pension papers of the widow of John Holden is a 
deposition of Thomas Hancock of Otisfield, dated 10 Dec., 1837, to 
the effect that his father, Lieutenant Joseph Hancock, lived in 
Wrentham during the Revolution, and removed to Otisfield, about 
three years prior to Lieutenant John Holden “who settled in the same 
neighborhood and who was recognized as a fellow soldier.” 


1865 Captain Nathaniel {Jonathan, John , Richard ), born 
7 May, 1739, at Woburn; died 21 Jan., 1817, at Tyngsboro ; 3 married 
Mary Richardson, born 15 May, 1742, at Chelmsford, died 11 Aug., 
1804, at Tyngsboro , 3 daughter of John and Esther Richardson. 

Nathaniel Holden and Mary his wife, and John Coburn and Sarah 
his wife sell to William Adams of Chelmsford their interest in land 
set off as part of dower of Esther, wife of John Richardson, late of 
Chelmsford, said Mary and Sarah being children of said John . 4 

Children , 5 recorded at Dunstable: 


1-1 John, born 14 April, 1764; died 21 Jan., 1833; married Susanna 
Thompson. 

2 Abigail, born 18 Oct., 1765; died 19 Nov., 1778. 

3 Mary, born 21 May, 1767; died 15 March, 1849, at Tyngsboro; 

married 16 Feb., 1790, at Tyngsboro, 3 Oliver Coburn, Jr., born 
14 June, 1761, died 2 Oct., 1825, at Tyngsboro, aged 64, 3 son of 
Oliver and Lucy (Bowers) Coburn. 

Children, 6 born at Tyngsboro: 

1. Oliver Coburn, born 2 Feb., 1791; died 16 Nov., 1867, at West 

Salem, Wis.; married 4 Nov., 1820, Mary Smith of Andover, 
N. H. Removed to Orono, Me. 

2. Mary Coburn, born Nov., 1795; died 12 Dec., 1859, at Tyngsboro. 


1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 
3 Town records. 

8 Austin Holden Ms. 


2 G. B. Holden Ms. 

4 Middlesex Deeds, 121:444. 
6 F. A. Holden Ms. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


161 


3. Joanna Coburn, born Oct., 1807; died 4 May, 1841, at Nashua, 

N. H.; married 31 Dec., 1831, Otis Nelson Chase. 

4. Nathaniel Coburn, baptized 15 June, 1794. 

5. Clarissa Coburn, baptized 6 June, 1802; married probably 

James N. Hadley, 30 Dec., 1827, at Tyngsboro. 1 
4-4 Nathaniel, born 25 Jan., 1769; died 19 July, 1837; married Rebecca 
Upton. 

5 Amne (Amy), born 31 March, 1771; died 11 Nov., 1859, at Tyngsboro; 

married 18 June, 1800, Mark White, born 23 April, 1772, at 
Acton, died 4 Oct., 1828, at Tyngsboro, aged 56 (g.s.). 

Children, 2 born at Acton: 

1. Clarinda White, born 13 Feb., 1802; died 29 Dec., 1875, at 

Tyngsboro. 

2. Joanna White, born 18 Dec., 1803; died 19 March, 1872, at 

Tyngsboro; married 1 May, 1828, Willard Howard 
Cummings of Tyngsboro. 

2. Samuel White, born 30 Jan., 1809; died 22 Sept., 1862; married 
Nov., 1837, Laura Byam of Chelmsford. They were killed by 
Indians in Minnesota, with all their children except Samuel 
Wilber White. 

4. Augusta White, born 29 Oct., 1812; died 5 April, 1847, at Tyngs¬ 
boro; married 1 Dec., 1836, Thomas Hunter of Tyngsboro. 

6 Anne (Joanna), born 17 Sept., 1774; died 1842, at Antrim, N. H.; 

married 2 Jan., 1821, William Pratt, born 1770 at Reading, died 
6 May, 1845, at Antrim, s.p. 

7 — 7 Jonathan, born 27 March, 1778; died 27 Jan., 1860; married Eleanor 
Weld. 

8-8 Silas, born 14 Dec., 1783; died 4 May, 1866; married Mary (Polly) 
Coburn. 

The following sketch of the life of Nathaniel Holden is found in 
the F. H. Holden Ms., probably contributed by Dr. Austin Holden: 

“Nathaniel Holden was born at Woburn, 3 7 May, 1739, presum¬ 
ably in the house still standing on Maple Street, near Oakland Sta¬ 
tion. After his marriage he became a resident of that portion of 
Dunstable, known as the ‘First Precinct' which was afterwards 
incorporated as the town of Tyngsborough. He purchased land there 
of Eleazer Farwell 30 March, 1765, 4 and subsequently became a 
large land holder, owning at one time all, or nearly all, the land on 
both sides of the stream named for him ‘Holden’s Brook' from the 
Merrimack River to and including ‘Half-Moon Meadow’ so-called. 
He built a house and blacksmith shop a few rods east of the pond at 
the foot of Moose Hill on land adjacent to what is now the property 
of Mr. John Robeson. 

1 Town records. 2 F. A. Holden Ms. 

3 Dr. Austin Holden, writing from Cambridge, 3 Sept., 1889, states: “Tradition, as my grandmother 
tells me, assigns Woburn as the birthplace of my great grandfather, Nathaniel Holden. He certainly 
owned land there.” 

4 Middlesex Deeds, 61:633. 


162 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


He early became prominent in town affairs and was elected select¬ 
man in 1771, serving in that capacity for several years. He also filled 
the offices of town treasurer and assessor. 

He took an active part in all parish matters and was a member 
of the parish committee. 

The peaceful pursuits of rural life, however, were soon interrupted 
by matters of greater moment. 

When after the assembling of the first Provincial Congress in 
1774 it became apparent that a collision between the British forces 
and the American ‘minute-men’ was impending, Nathaniel Holden 
entered zealously into the preparations that were made at Dunstable 
to assist as far as possible in the cause of freedom. On the 1 Feb., 1775, 
he was appointed one of a committee of inspection of nine persons 
‘to carry into execution in the town of Dunstable the agreement 
and association of the late respected Continental Congress.’ 

The patriotic spirit of the people in the very commencement of 
the tremendous struggle is evinced by the following pledge, signed by 
Edward Butterfield, Nathaniel Holden and twenty-six others: 

‘We the subscribers taking into consideration the present 
difficulty do hereby voluntarily engage with each other in defence of 
our country Priveledges and Libertys for the space of six months 
from this date; that we will submit ourselves to the Laws equally 
the same as if they were in full force respecting our officers that now 
are or hereafter may be chosen in all Military Duty. —Dunstable, 
March 1st, 1775.’ 

When the British troops were on the march for Concord and 
men were hurrying from all directions to repel the enemy, Nathaniel 
Holden was among those who reached the scene of action. He was 
a lieutenant of the company commanded by Captain Leonard Butter¬ 
field. 1 As the excitement became intensified by the prospect of an 
immediate action a neighbor of Holden’s became somewhat weak in 
the knees, and tremblingly enquired if they ‘hadn’t better go back.’ 
‘Go back?’ said Holden, eyeing the man for a moment. ‘Go back? 
Yes, if you are afraid, go back,’ he thundered indignantly. ‘We 
want no cowards here.’ 

Nathaniel was lieutenant of the Dunstable company commissioned 
27 May, 1775, 1 having been with the command since 24 April, 1775, 
of fifty men of which Ebenezer Bancroft was captain, and which 
participated in the memorable battle of Bunker Hill. Bancroft’s 
company formed a part of the Massachusetts regiment under the 
command of Colonel Ebenezer Bridge. He was first lieutenant in 
the company commanded by Captain Zaeheus Wright, Brook’s 
regiment, from 27 Sept., 1776, and was at White Plains in October. 
He was discharged 16 Nov., 1776. 1 


1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


163 


The confidence reposed in Nathaniel Holden is indicated by the 
various responsible positions for which he was selected by his towns¬ 
men from time to time. 

On the 4 March, 1776, he was chosen a member of the Committee 
of correspondence, and at a public meeting on the 11 Sept., 1777, he 
was appointed ‘to procure and lay before ye court ye evidence yt 
might be had of ye Enimical disposition of any of this town that may 
be complained of that they may be proceeded with agreeable to an 
act of this state.’ This action was occasioned by the presence in Dun¬ 
stable of certain persons holding Tory principles whom the town was 
prompt to bring to account for their opposition to the common cause. 

Nathaniel served faithfully in the War of the Revolution and, 
before its close, had been promoted to the rank of captain. 

After the w r ar he seems to have lived quietly at Tyngsborough 
and to have given his attention to his farms and his forge. Upon the 
death of his only brother, Jonathan, he succeeded to the bulk of the 
estate of his father in Stoneham and Woburn. This property he sold 
10 Dec., 1801, to Jesse Convers and thus passed out of the possessions 
of the Holdens land which had been held by them for nearly a century 
and a half. 

In 1799, Captain Holden built, with his son, Lieutenant Nathaniel 
Holden, Jr., the two-story house on the margin of Holden’s Brook, 
on the old Nashua road. This structure is still standing and in some 
of the rooms may be seen evidence of the Captain’s skill in ornamental 
carpentry. The old homestead is now occupied by Nathaniel’s great- 
granddaughter, Miss Josephine Wilson. 

Captain Holden seems to have held a high place in the estima¬ 
tion of the community in which he lived and to have been regarded 
as a man of good sense and sound judgment. When, as mil happen 
in the most peaceable neighborhoods, any of the good people of 
Tyngsborough became involved in disputes or quarrels they were 
wont to appeal to Captain Holden to act as mediator. Fie was so 
successful in adjusting differences of this sort by his conciliatory 
methods and wise counsel that he was known as ‘Holden the Peace¬ 
maker.’ A glorious title! ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they 
shall be called the children of God.’ ” 

Nathaniel Holden’s name appears on Dunstable town records in 
1768, for more than twenty years. The first mention of him in the 
records was upon the occasion of his being chosen surveyor of high¬ 
ways, 1768; he also held this office in 1770, having been discharged 
from office of tithing man, to which he had been elected. Any one 
elected to office of tithing man, or constable, in those days, found it 
difficult to obtain a discharge unless for some good reason. Public 
office then sought the man, and he was expected to attend to the duties 
regardless of the burden it imposed upon him. 


164 


THE HOLDEN FAMILY 


He was constable in 1774 and at a later period; he was also warden 
in 1774. He served as selectman from 1778 to 1782 and probably later. 

He was lieutenant of the company of minute men commanded 
by Captain Leonard Butterfield, and responded to the alarm of 
19 April, 1775. He enlisted 24 April, 1775, for eight months, and was 
commissioned Lieutenant in company commanded by Ebenezer 
Bancroft, Bridge’s regiment, 27 May, 1775. A year later he appears 
as Lieutenant in Wright’s companj 7 , Brook’s regiment, being a 
regiment drafted from the Middlesex County militia, and was at 
White Plains, serving from 27 Sept., 1776, to 16 Nov., 1776. 1 

On the town records he is first styled Lieutenant in 1780, and Cap¬ 
tain in 1782. He seems to have been especially prominent during the 
Revolutionary period and after his active service in the army was 
commissioned 1 July, 1781, as Lieutenant of the 5th (Dunstable) 
company, 7th Middlesex regiment. 

Administration on his estate, upon petition of John his eldest son, 
was granted to Ebenezer Bancroft, Jr., Feb., 1817, to whom a release 
was given 5 Oct., 1819, by the heirs, viz., Mary Coburn, Mark White 
for self and as attorney for Jonathan, Joanna, Silas, and Nathaniel 
Holden. 2 

1924 Caleb {John, Stephen, Richard), born 1 Feb., 1723-4, at 
Groton; died later than May, 1795, probably at Shelburne; married 
Abigail, who was living in 1761. 3 

He married, second, 14 Sept., 1766, at Deerfield, Mary Farley , 4 
who was warned by Deerfield Selectmen, 4 Sept., 1766, and described 
as “an inhabitant of Medford.’' 

Children: 

1 Abigail, born 25 March, 1748, at Groton. 4 

2 Sarah, born 11 Jan., 1749-50, at Groton. 4 

3-3 John, born Nov., 1752, at Shirley; 4 probably not living 1790; married 
Abidal. 

4 Caleb, born 19 Jan., 1755, at Shirley; 4 died young. 

By second marriage, probably born at Shelburne: 

5- 5 Caleb, born 13 July, 1767 ; 5 died 5 Oct., 1836; married Anna Lindsey. 

6- 6 Elihu, born 1770; died 1843; married Abigail. 

7 David, “settled in the Black river country, New York.” 6 
8-8 James, born 22 Sept., 1777; 6 died 2 Oct., 1863, (aged 86, q.s .) at 
Augusta, Ont.; married Esther Call; (2) Cynthia Troop. 8 
9 — 9 Jonathan, born about 1786 at Shelburne; 6 married Sally Owen. 

J-10 Solomon, born 30 Aug., 1786; died 11 March, 1868; married Amy 
Beaman; (2) Amanda M. Allen. 

1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 2 Middlesex Probate, 17:25. 

3 Middlesex Deeds. * Town records. 

3 Information of Mrs. Cynthia (Holden) Call, a daughter, 21 July, 1867. 

8 Family records and tradition, from Dr. W. H. Holden. 

7 History of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario, Canada. 

8 Mary Esther Sawyer, a granddaughter of James, married John Henry Holden, a grandson of Jonathan. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


165 


11 ? Obed Warden, born about 1786; married 30 Nov., 1809, at Charle- 

mont, (intention at Colrain), Sally Farnsworth 1 of Colrain. He 
bought land in Charlemont and Heath in 1821, and as of Buckland 
in 1817 sold 31 acres in Charlemont, reserving to Elihu Holden 
right to cross same. 2 There is no record in Massachusetts of settle¬ 
ment of his estate, and the statement that he “went to Saratoga 
County, N. Y. is probably correct. He had three daughters. 1 
Children: 

1. Dolly. 1 

2. PMary. There is a marriage record at Colrain of Mary Holden 

to Nathaniel Bass, 28 April, 1823, but no evidence has been 
found concerning her parentage. 

3. Daughter. 

Caleb Holden lived in that part of Groton set off as Shirley, but 
in the warning by Deerfield Selectmen, 13 Dec., 1766 (?1765), he is 
described as “lately an inhabitant of Peppered.” In the record of a 
deed dated 13 Oct., 1760, in which he and wife Abigail join in convey¬ 
ing to Nehemiah Plolden 58 acres in Shirley, with a small dwelling 
house on the property, he is described as of North No. 2, New Hamp¬ 
shire. It is quite possible that “New Hampshire” is a mistake for 
“Hampshire county" in which Colrain was known as Boston No. 2. 
North No. 2 was Westmoreland, N. H., which in 1752 was regranted 
by New Hampshire as Great Meadows. In 1769 he again appears 
as selling land in Shirley and again is described as of “No. 2, N. H.,” 
but at that date he w~as undoubtedly a resident of Shelburne or 
Colrain. In 1773 he was a resident of Shelburne, which formerly 
was a part of Deerfield, for he that year obtained judgment against 
John Gilson of Sunderland for an unpaid note dated 1 Dec., 1769. 
In the same year judgment was had against him, as also in 1784 and 
1794, in all of which proceedings he is called of Shelburne. The 
records of Westmoreland, and also the Provincial papers of New 
Hampshire concerning that township, are silent concerning the 
residence there of Caleb Plolden. 

In August, 1772, he was accused of having slain a deer, but the 
witness for the government, Timothy Farley, failed to appear, and 
the case was continued, only to be dropped as both he and all witnesses 
defaulted at the next term of the Court. 

In June, 1773, on petition of Caleb Holden of Deerfield the General 
Court granted to the heirs of John Holden, land in or adjoining Col¬ 
rain, as equivalent land for a grant to the soldiers who served under 
Colonel Tyng, of whom John, the father of Caleb, was one. 3 This 
petition and grant, even if no other evidence was available, estab- 

1 Letter to W. H. Holden from Mrs. Roxy Farnsworth Davenport, 1901. Sally Farnsworth may have 
had a sister Clara, wife of Samuel Holden of New York, and may have been sister to Abraham Farnsworth 
who married Dolly Holden, but the notes from the above mentioned letter are not clear. See 19245-5 and 
19246-2. 2 Berkshire Deeds, 46:377. 

i Acts and Resolves, Chapter 56, 1773. The petition names his brothers and sisters. 


166 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


lishes Caleb’s place in the family. Four hundred acres were granted, 
but by reference to chapter 108 it appears that 237 acres were not 
then laid out, being withheld until further order of the General 
Court. 

In Feb., 1786, Caleb Holden is described as of “North River, 
Llampshire County”, when he conveyed to David Field 131 acres 
in Buckland, apparently as security, as in Jan., 1794, Samuel Field, 
executor of David, sued Caleb Holden on a note for £45 dated 11 Feb., 
1786, the date of the deed. On the 11 May, 1787, described as of 
“the Gore of land, adjoining Shelburne and Colrain”, he sold to 
Edward Giles of Charlemont all his interest in the grant of land by 
the General Court, June, 1773, to heirs of “my father John Holden ;” 1 
and Giles 4 Oct., 1795, conveyed this same interest to Elihu Holden 
of Buckland. This may have been after the death of Caleb, who was 
probably living in May, 1795, when his son Caleb is described as 
“Junior.” 

In 1790 Caleb Holden was enumerated at Shelburne as head of a 
family consisting of three males over sixteen years of age, three under 
sixteen, and one female. There is no settlement of his estate. 

Family tradition, recorded by Dr.W. H. Holden, asserted that Caleb 
died in the Revolutionary period, leaving a family of seven orphans, 
who were adopted by relatives and friends in the neighborhood, at 
Ballston Spa and Galway, N. Y. It was also asserted that John was 
killed in the war and never married. 

1925 Amos (John, Stephen, Richard), born 16 June, 1726, at 
Groton; died 28 March, 1803, 2 at Shirley; married 6 Feb., 1750-1, 
at Groton , 2 Prudence Holden, born 26 April, 1730, at Groton, died 
21 Nov., 1762, 2 at Shirley, daughter of Nathaniel (194) and Abigail 
(Stone) Holden. He married, second, 1763, Sarah Blood , 3 who died 
1800. 4 

Amos Holden of Shirley, and Prudence his wife, Jabez Holden, 
Asa Holden of Groton, Jonathan Sawtell and Alary his wife, and 
Seth Walker and Abigail his wife, sell to Isaac Holden of Groton, 
yeoman, five out of seven shares in house, land, etc., set off to our 
mother Abigail Holden of Groton, deceased, it being her part of the 
estate of her husband Nathaniel Holden, 10 Nov., 1757. 5 

Children, born at Shirley : 2 

1-1 Amos, born 21 Sept., 1752; died 16 April, 1806; married Lydia Sloan. 

2 Nathaniel, born 12 Jan., 1755; died 10 Alarch, 1755 (g.s. at Shirley). 

3 Prudence, born 9 Alarch, 1756; married David Sloan, born 1760. 6 

In 1790 they were of Lvndeborough, N. H., when they joined in 

1 Hampshire Deeds, 27:372. 2 Town records. The birth of Amos is found on Groton records 

3 Statement of Joel M. Holden, 1858. 

4 Chandler: History of Shirley. 3 Middlesex Deeds, 61:591. 

6 See his deposition under John Holden (19256). Also Middlesex Deeds, 108:449. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


167 


conveying their interest in her mother's estate in Lunenburg. He 
served in the army during the American Revolution. 

4-4 Abel, born 26 Sept., 1758; died April, 1797; married Emma Blood; 
(2) Elizabeth Henry. 

5 Lydia, born 18 April, 1761; married Moses Sanderson. In 1792 
were of Shrewsbury, Vt., when they sold their interest in her 
mother’s estate in Shirley. 1 

By second marriage: 

6-6 John, born 21 May, 1765; died 1847; married Sarah Sanderson; 
(2) Patience Sanderson. 

7 Sarah, born 10 Sept., 1767; died 1849 2 (aged 81) 3 at Shirley; married 

(intention 8 Jan., 1792, at Shirley) Nathan Pierce of Putney, Vt. 

8 Eunice, born 12 Aug., 1770; died aged 44; 3 married 5 March, 1789, 

at Shirley, 4 Francis Harris, Jr., born 21 June, 1764, at Shirley, 
died there 16 Feb., 1837, son of Francis and Susanna Harris. 2 
Children, born at Shirley: 2 

1. Polly Harris, born 12 Dec., 1789. 

2. Eunice Harris, born 2 March, 1792. 

3. Susanna Harris, born 21 Sept., 1794. 

4. Bradley Harris, born 24 June, 1797. 

5. Francis Harris, born 23 May, 1801 ; died 21 May, 1860, at Shirley; 

married 18 Nov., 1833, at Shirley, Elizabeth Page. 

6. Sophia Harris, born 27 Sept. 1804. 

9 Elizabeth, born 23 Aug., 1772; living at age 86. 3 Unmarried in 1793. 
10 Moses, born 6 June, 1776; [died aged 22 3 ]; married (intention 13 Nov., 

1803, at Shirley) Priscilla Stearns of Waltham. 

K-ll Thomas, born 30 April, 1778; died aged 69 ; 3 married Nancy Bryant; 

(2) Sophia Bryant; (3) Hannah Baldwin; (4) Mary Jewett. 
L-12 Joel, born 13 March, 1780; died 4 Oct., 1821 (aged 21); 3 married 
Eliza C. Hookway. 

13 Sewall, born 19 Feb., 1782; died at sea. 3 

14 Hannah, born 14 March, 1784; living at age 74 ; 3 married 1801 

A. Loomis, who died in Canada; (2) P. Adams. 

Children : 2 

1. Sally Adams. 

2. Serinda Adams, born 17 Jan., 1811; d.y. 

3. Alanson Adams, born 30 Nov., 1812; removed to Vermont. 

4. Chloe Adams, born 14 Feb., 1816; d.y. 

5. Lucius Adams. 

6. Lucas Adams, twin with Lucius. 

7. John Adams, born April, 1824; died 1846 in Boston. 

15 Emma, born 23 March, 1786; died aged 61 ; 3 married 13 Feb., 1806, 

in Boston, Setii Blanchard, who became a Shaker, and deserted 
his wife; (2) B. Winchester. 

Children : 2 

1. Louisa Blanchard, born 8 Dec., 1807; d.y. 

2. Lucy Blanchard, twin with Louisa; d.y. 

1 Middlesex Deeds, 110:9. * Chandler: History of Shirley 

8 Statement of Joel Holden, Boston, 1858. 4 Shirley Vital Records. 


168 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


3. Louisa B. Blanchard, born 15 Oct., 1810; married Thomas 

Holden (1925L.4). 

4. Jane Blanchard, born Nov., 1812. Became a Shakeress. 


5. - 

- Winchester. 

6. 

- Winchester. 

7. - 

- Winchester. 

8. - 

- Winchester. 


16 Moody, born 5 Nov., 1789; died at sea. 1 

In the early autumn of 1746, the Duke d’Anville, in command of 
a French fleet, threatened Boston, and the militia from the country 
to the number of eight thousand men were summoned for the defence 
of the capital. The Groton company, commanded by Captain W illiam 
Lawrence, responded, and in its ranks was Amos Holden. 2 

In the Groton company commanded by Captain Henry Haskell, 
Prescott’s regiment, which responded to the Lexington Alarm, 
19 April, 1775, were Amos Holden, and his son Amos. The elder man 
served seven days, but the younger enlisted in the army, as did his 
brothers Abel and John. 3 

As executor of the estate of John Holden, Amos sold, 10 April, 
1759, 11 acres on the west side of Lancaster River, formerly laid out 
to Richard Holden, bounded north by Timothy Cooper, east by the 
river. 4 

On the 22 April, 1760, he joined with his brothers Caleb, David, 
Isaiah and Nehemiah, and his sisters and their husbands, in con¬ 
veying 12 acres on the west side of the river. 

In 1784, Amos Holden gave a promissory note to Nathaniel Hay¬ 
ward, which passed into the hands of Abraham Adams of Boston, 
who obtained judgment against the maker. In April, 1789, Amos 
Holden leased his farm in Shirley for three years to his son John, 
who had his own stock on the place. In Dec., 1790, Joseph Moors, 
Esq., of Groton, acting for Adams, replevined a cow, hog, etc., which 
proved to be the property of John Holden, who thereupon brought 
suit against Moors. The case was finally carried into the Supreme 
Court and decided in John Holden’s favor, who produced ample 
testimony to prove his good faith in the premises; that he had pur¬ 
chased his animals from various parties, and paid taxes on the land. 
The case was not settled until 1793. 5 

His home was on the east side of the Townsend road, north of 
Mulpus Brook, and here, in the house which was standing till about 
1856, sixteen of his eighteen children were born, all, it is said, in the 
same room. Amos Holden, Jr., 1 Oct., 1790, then of Mason, N. H., 
conveyed to his brother Abel his right in the land and house occu- 

1 Statement of Joel Holden, Boston, 1858. 2 Green: Groton in the Indian Wars , p. 152. 

3 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 4 Middlesex Deeds, 65 280. 

6 Suffolk files, 150,580, etc. 






FOURTH GENERATION 


169 


pied by his father, but which was part of his mother’s estate and was 
undivided between her heirs. Moses Holden succeeded to the owner¬ 
ship of the place. This was later the Amos Day farm. 

In 1790 Amos was enumerated as the head of a family consisting 
of himself, one other male over sixteen, three males under sixteen 
and five females. 

1926 Isaiah (John, Stephen, Richard ), born 10 Aug., 1728, at 
Groton; died Nov., 1811, “aged 82 years,” at Groton; married 
23 Dec., 1762, at Groton 1 Elizabeth (Betty) Shed, widow of Samuel 
Shedd, 2 by whom she had no qhildren. 

In 1790 he was enumerated at Groton, having a family consisting 
of self, one other male over sixteen, and one female. There is no 
settlement of his estate. On 23 June, 1757, he conveyed to Amos 
Holden (his brother), of Shirley, 80 acres in Groton, with half the 
dwelling house and barn, and half of three acres near the house. 3 

Children, born at Groton: 1 

1 Betty, born 23 Sept., 1763; baptized 26 Feb., 1764. 

2 Edmund, born 19 Oct., 1765; baptized 14 Oct., 1770. Probably the 

Edmund Holden, aged 16 years, 5 feet 2 inches in height, light 
complexion and hair, and dark eyes, on enlistment 20 March, 
1781, for three years, to the credit of Groton. Edmund, son of 
Asa, was of the same age. Edmund Holden drafted by the State 
from the militia of Shirley, for defence of the Court at Worcester, 
16 Jan., 1787, during Shays’ Rebellion, may be this man. 4 

3 Oliver, born 3 Dec., 1767; baptized 14 Oct., 1770; died Dec., 1822, 4 

at Groton, unmarried. Joseph Morse of Groton was appointed 
his guardian 21 May, 1807. 

4 Jonathan, born 24 Oct., 1769; baptized 14 Oct., 1770. 

1927 Nehemiah (John, Stephen, Richard), born 12 March, 
1731, at Groton; died 1809, at Woburn 5 aged 80, 5 “at J. Buckman’s” 5 ; 
married Elizabeth, who died Nov., 1803, aged 76. 6 

The Census of 1790 found him at Charlestown with self and one 
female composing his family. 

Children, born at Shirley, except the eldest: 

1 Elizabeth Mary, born 1 Dec., 1758, at Louisburg, N. S.; died 3 
March, 1813, at Thetford, Vt.; married 12 June, 1781, Levi 
Lawrence, born 14 Aug., 1759, died 24 July, 1831, at Thetford, 
son of Jonathan and Esther (Shedd) Lawrence. 8 He was a deacon 
and lay preacher in the Baptist communion, and had served three 
years in the army during the Revolution. 

1 Groton town and church records. 2 Bartlett: Shedd Genealogy, 1921. 

3 Middlesex Deeds, 56:120. 4 James Parker’s diary. 

6 Woburn records. No settlement of his estate. The Woburn record gives his name as Oliver. “Dead 
1829” (F. A. Holden Ms.). 

8 Wyman: Charlestown Estates. 1 Butler: History of Groton. 

8 R. W. Holden Ms., quoting Lawrence Genealogy, page 74. 


170 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children: 

1. Jonathan Lawrence, born 27 Feb., 1782; died 1803 at sea. 

2. Levi Lawrence, born 15 June, 1784; died at St. Louis, Mo. 

3. Elizabeth Lawrence, born 15 July, 1788; married Cephas 

Sturdevant. 

4. Nehemiah Holden Lawrence, born 23 Jan., 1791. 

5. Thomas Lawrence, born 13 March, 1793; died 1828 in New 

York State. 

0. David Lawrence, born 17 Sept., 1795; died 1840 at Collinsville, 
Ill. 

7. Oliver Lawrence, born 4 Dec., 1797; of Collingsville. 

8. Esther Lawrence, born 7 July, 1800; died young. 

2- 2 Richard Stevens, born 14 April, 1761; died 31 Dec., 1831; married 

Mary Greene; (2) Abigail Farrington. 

3- 3 Nehemiah, born 16 July, 1763; died 10 Jan., 1851; married Lucy A. 

Closson; (2) Abigail Bassett. 

4- 4 Oliver, born 18 Sept., 1765; died 4 Sept., 1844; married Nancy 

Rand. 

5 Miriam Whitney, born 20 Jan., 1768; died 4 Aug., 1775 ( g.s. at 
Shirley). 

6-6 Daniel, born 28 Oct., 1771; died 1854; married Hannah Green; 
(2) Abigail Foster. 

Nehemiah Holden enlisted as centinel in company commanded by 
Captain Edward Hartwell, raised in Townsend, Lunenburg, Narra- 
gansett No. 2, and Leominster, 15 April, 1748, and served until 
October. 1 

Upon his father's death in 1754 by the latter’s will, he came into 
possession of “about 100 acres" on the west side of the Squannacook 
River in Shirley. He purchased, 13 Oct., 1760, of his brother Caleb, 
who had part of his father’s lands on the Squannacook, a small dwell¬ 
ing house and 58 acres on the north side of the road running from 
Lunenburg to Tarbell’s Mills, between land of Nehemiah on the east 
and that of his brother Amos on the west. Nehemiah is described as 
“of Shirley, housewright.” Six months earlier, 22 April, 1760, 
Nehemiah joined with other heirs of his father in conveying land on 
the west side of Lancaster River to Samuel Walker, and was described 
as of “the island of Cape Brittain.’’ 

How long Nehemiah Holden had lived at Cape Breton is not known, 
presumably he had gone thither in or about 1755, or the following 
year. The romantic story connected with his life there and his 
marriage, is told below, but must be accepted with a certain degree of 
hesitation. He was in Groton in the summer of 1760, and his brother 
Caleb having determined to try his luck on the frontier, Nehemiah 
bought his homestead, adjoining the land he had inherited, and settled 
there. Mrs. Charles K. Bolton in “Shirley L T plands and Intervales,” 


1 Archives, 92:145. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


171 


has taken some pains to locate correctly the home of Nehemiah 
Holden, and the birthplace of his son Oliver. She shows that the so- 
called Coronation Farm in Shirley, the former home of Amos Holden, 
is not the place on which Nehemiah lived, and has succeeded in 
finding, on the Caleb Holden farm which Nehemiah bought, a cellar 
hole, which she believes to be the site of the house in which Oliver 
Holden was born. A poplar tree marks the site. The location is in 
the northern part of Shirley on the Townsend Road, not far from the 
river, and was lately, if not now, owned by Mr. Jarvis. 

Here Nehemiah Holden was living in 1788, although he had given 
a deed to the entire 160 acres to Samuel Walker in 1769, probably as 
security, for it was not acknowledged for some years and not recorded 
for some years later. He eventually removed to Charlestown, where 
his sons Oliver, Nehemiah and Richard were already settled, and 
bought a home in Bow Street. Nehemiah Holden and Elizabeth his 
wife were received into Groton church from Shirley, 18 Nov., 1776. 
They were dismissed to Pepperell 12 Aug., 1781, and 31 July, 1794, 
were dismissed to Charlestown. Wyman states he came to Charles¬ 
town in Feb., 1788, from Pepperell, and that in 1804 he conveyed 
to his son Nehemiah half his homestead, and mortgaged the 
other half to Oliver, who conveyed to Nehemiah, and the latter 
lived there. 

There is a tradition among the descendants of Oliver Holden, and 
which is told with much detail in the F. A. Holden papers, concerning 
the marriage of Nehemiah Holden. This story is also told, with some 
of the more remarkable details omitted, in Mrs. Bolton’s “Shirley 
Uplands,” and appears in somewhat different form in the “History 
of Peterboro, N. H., ” and Chandler’s “History of Shirley.” The tra¬ 
dition is that Nehemiah Holden married at Cape Breton a sister of 
“Colonel” Mitchel, who died at the hands of the Indian enemy, 
and in such manner that his sister died “ of grief and fright,” and there¬ 
upon Holden married “Elizabeth Mary Stevens, widow of Colonel 
Mitchell.” The story goes on to relate that the lady was niece of 
the Earl of Carberry, and had eloped with a gardener on the estate, 
which of course does not agree very well with the fact that her 
husband is also represented as a colonel. There was no colonel of 
that name stationed at that time at Louisburg, nor is it believed that 
the other details of the story are correct. The more correct version 
would appear to be that given in the “History of Peterboro,” which 
does to some degree agree with known facts. It is there said that 
Eleanor Mitchell, wife of Samuel Gordon, removed from Ireland to 
Cape Breton, and that her father was killed there, and all the family 
except herself, mother and brother, died of the smallpox; that 
they came to Boston, and that her mother married Nehemiah 
Holden. 


172 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


On Shirley records may be found the following record: 

Elenar Mitchell daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth, born in Ireland, 
9 April, 1747. 

Francies Mitchell, 1 of Lawrence and Elizabeth, born in Ireland, 17 June, 
1748. 

The above mentioned Eleanor Mitchell married Samuel Gordon, 
a native of Ireland, who after living several years at Shirley, where 
he and his father Nathaniel had bought a farm, removed to Peterboro. 

In 1772 Samuel Gordon of Bedford sued Nehemiah Holden in the 
Court of Common Pleas. 

Elizabeth was the wife of Nehemiah Holden prior to December, 
1758, and she was aged 76 years at death in 1803, therefore born 
about 1727, and could have been the mother of children born in 
1747 and 1748. The eldest child of Samuel and Elenor Gordon was 
born in May, 1765. On the 10 Oct., 1764, Samuel Gordon, laborer, 
and Nathan Smith, both of Shirley, gave bond on appointment of 
Gordon as guardian for Francis Mitchell, described as a poor minor 
of Shirley, aged sixteen years on the 28 June last, having no estate, 
son of “Elizabeth Mitchell of Shirley.” He was to be bound out. 
Why his mother should be described as Elizabeth Mitchell, if the wife 
of Nehemiah Holden, is not clear. 

Chandler states that her name was Stephens, but is evidently not 
sure, as he enclosed the name in brackets. Boston records show the 
marriage of John Stevens and Eleanor Mitchell 2 Nov., 1710, by the 
Presbyterian minister. 

Elnathan Holden, a grandson, wrote in 1877 that his grandmother’s 
name was Elizabeth Mary Stevens, and gave the story of Nehemiah’s 
marrying with “Col. Mitchell’s widow, his own wife having died on 
learning of her brother’s death.” 

Another grandson, Benjamin F. Holden of Thibodeaux, La., wrote 
23 Aug., 1876: 

“I remember when quite young reading a slip cut from a paper, I 
suppose preserved by my father, an obituary of Mrs. Elizabeth, con¬ 
sort of Nehemiah Holden, writing in high praise of her moral and 
intellectual worth, but do not (if I knew), remember her maiden name.” 

Chandler, the historian of Shirley stated: 

“Mr. Holden was a carpenter; resided in Boston and Peppered, 
Massachusetts; and at Peterboro’, Hillsboro' Co., N. H. His three 
sons, viz: Richard, Oliver, and Daniel learned the same trade of their 
father, and worked with him on the United States Ship Constella¬ 
tion ; built in Boston in 1797, at a cost of $302,719, and which was so 
celebrated in the War of 1812 as the captor of many British vessels. 
His last days were spent in Shirley.” 


1 See page 307. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


173 


192J David {John, Stephen, Richard), born 16 Dec., 1738, at 
Groton; died 8 Aug, 1803, at Hollis, N. H.; married 13 July, 1761., 
Sarah Hemenway, born 31 Oct., 1739, died 7 April, 1830, daughter 
of Reverend Phineas Hemenway, pastor of the church at Townsend, 
a graduate of Harvard College, and Sarah (Stevens) Hemenway. 
Children, born at Townsend and Hollis: 1 

1 David, born 28 June, 1763; died 12 July, 1763. 

2 Sarah, born 17 Dec., 1764; died 10 June, 1835; married 20 July, 1787, 

at Hollis, Lieutenant Benjamin Cummings of Brookline, N. H., 
who had been previously married, born 25 Nov., 1757, died 8 March, 
1804, son of Samuel Cummings. 

Children, 2 born at Brookline, N. H.: 

1. Sarah Cummings, born 7 June, 1787. 

2. Samuel Cummings, born 9 Nov., 1788. 

3. Thomas Cummings, born 18 Sept., 1790; married Sally 

Proctor, daughter of Moses Proctor. 

4. David Cummings, born 13 Oct., 1792; died 14 May, 1835. 

5. Phineas Cummings, born 15 March, 1795; married 24 Feb., 1822, 

Lucinda Lovejoy. 

6. Betsey Cummings, born 10 April, 1797; married 28 Jan., 1818, 

Abner Bills. 

7. William Cummings, born 25 April, 1799; married 28 June, 1821, 

Lucy Clifton. 

8. Hannah Cummings, born 28 June, 1801; married- Stover. 

3 Betsey, born 18 Sept., 1766; died 16 Nov., 1842; married 3 June, 

1787, David Hale of Hollis, son of Colonel John and Elizabeth 
Hale. 

Children: 

1. David Hale. 

2. Aaron Hale, married - Dean. 

3. Betsey Hale, died aged 6 months. 

4. William Hale, married - Noyes. 

5. Betsey Hale, married - Underwood. 

6. Susan Hale, married- W hite. 

7. John Hale, married - Morrison. 

8. Sarah Hale, married - Conant. 

9. Nancy Hale. 

10. Artemas Hale, married- W heat. 

11. Luke Hale, married - Morrison; (2)- Coburn. 

12. Rebecca Hale, married - Childs. 

4- 4 David W., born 31 July, 1768 (1769); died 13 Oct., 1823; married 

Bridget Atwell. 

5- 5 Phineas Hemenway, born 8 May, 1772; died 29 Jan., 1856; married 

Elizabeth Jewett. 

6 Lavinia, born 30 June, 1774; died 17 Nov., 1836; married 13 March, 
1800, Andrew' Bunton, Jr., of Pembroke, N. H., born 28 April, 
1776, at Allenstown, N. H., died 14 Jan., 1832, at Goffstowm, N. H., 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. Information received from members of the family. 

2 R. W. Holden Ms., quoting Cummings Genealogy. 













174 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


son of Andrew Bunton, who was killed, 28 Oct., 1776, at battle of 

White Plains. 

Children r 1 

1. Andrew Bunton, born 8 Dec., 1800; died 21 April, 1860; married 

Dec., 1821, Betsey Stewart; (2) Lettice McQueston. 

2. Lavinia Bunton, born 13 Aug., 1803; died 27 July, 1891; married 

3 Aug., 1819, Robert Richards. They removed to Torbolton, 
Ont., about 1827, and in 1868 to Bristol, Que., and was a 
widow in 1888, w r hen she corresponded with F. A. Holden. 

3. David Augustus Bunton, born 18 Oct., 1805; died 10 July, 

1890; married Eliza Jane Adams. 

4. Sarah J. Bunton, born 27 Aug., 1807; died 12 April, 1885; 

married Dec., 1834, John Gilchrist of Goffstown. 

5. Jesse Bunton, born 27 March, 1810; died 2 Nov., 1880; married 

15 Dec., 1839, at Quincy, Orissa Beals. 

6. Sylvanus Bunton, born 8 March, 1812, at Allenstown, N. H.; 

died 13 Aug., 1884, at Mt. Vernon, N. H.; married 17 Dec., 
1846, at West Cambridge, Clara Conant; (2) 17 Dec., 
1874, at Mt. Vernon, Sara Jane Trevitt. Dartmouth 
College, 1840, and Washington University, Baltimore. He w r as 
a surgeon in the Union Army, and after the war lived at 
Manchester, N. H. 

7. William Bunton, born 21 Feb., 1814; died 18 April, 1891; married 

16 May, 1837, Sarah Jane Tirrell. 

7-7 Artemas, born 13 Sept., 1776; died 8 Aug., 1863; married Jerusha 
Brown; (2) Anne Bowers. 

8 Sylvanus, born 3 April, 1779; died 5 Feb., 1811, lost at sea. 

9-9 Joshua, born 3 April, 1781; died 17 Dec., 1852; married Mary A. 

Mitchel. 

David Holden of Towmsend enlisted 12 April, 1755, served until 
17 Dec., 1755, in company commanded by Captain Benjamin Bal¬ 
lard for the expedition against Crowm Point. William Stevens is 
given as his master. 

In an account of Colonel Oliver Wilder dated 8 April, 1757, his 
name appears on a list of those w T ho are entitled to a bounty of $10, 
because “heretofore in the service.” His enlistment w T as for one year. 
He may have enlisted 29 March, 1757. John Stevens signed for his 
bounty. The only service credited to a David Holden in 1756 was 
from 1 Sept, to 1 Dec., 1756, but this man w T as impressed out of 
Colonel Leonard’s regiment, suggesting residence in vicinity of 
Rehoboth. He was assigned to Colonel Benjamin Goldthwait’s 
regiment, and marched to Albany. In October he was a member of 
the company commanded by Major James House. 

David Holden of Groton enlisted 10 March (1760), and served 
until 2 Dec. (1760), as sergeant in company commanded by Captain 

1 Information in part from Mrs. Isadore F. Baxter, daughter of Jesse Bunton, and of Henry Bunton, 
son of Sylvanus, 1912. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


175 


Leonard Whiting. His travel home came to 90 miles allowance. 
Enlisted 11 May, 1761, from Townsend and served until 4 Dec., 
1761, as sergeant in this same company. 1 

During the campaign of 1760 he kept a journal published under 
the following title: 

“Journal kept by Sergeant David Holden of Groton, Mass., 
during the latter part of the French and Indian War, February 20- 
November 29, 1760. With Notes and an Introduction. By Samuel 
A. Green, M.D. Cambridge: John Wilson & son, University Press. 
1899. 8 vo. pp. 30.” 

Dr. Green describes the journal and its owner as follows: 

“David Holden, the writer, was the First Sergeant in Captain 
Leonard Whiting’s company. His family, in both its branches, had 
suffered much from Indian warfare. His grandfather, Stephen 
Holden, with his “two biggest sons,” one of them David’s father, 
was taken by the Indians during the summer of 1697, and held in cap¬ 
tivity for nearly two years: and his maternal grandfather was John 
Davis, who was killed by the Indians, in his own door-yard, on Oct. 
25, 1704. 

David was married to Sarah, daughter of the Reverend Phinehas 
and Sarah (Stevens) Hemenway. There is a tradition in the family 
that the first time he ever saw his wife was while drilling a squad of 
men at Groton for the campaign of 1760. After his return from the 
army he lived during some years at Townsend, where most of his 
children were born. At the outbreak of the Revolution his sym¬ 
pathies were with the Crown; and so strong was the feeling in his 
neighborhood at that period against the tories, that he was obliged 
to leave his home, when he took up his abode in Hollis, New Hamp¬ 
shire. His military service had laid the foundation for a loyalty to 
the King which did not swerve even at the cost of his personal 
popularity. 

Captain Whiting, the commander of Sergeant Holden’s company, 
was a native of Billerica, where he was born on March 27, 1734; 
but at the time of this campaign he was living at Westford. The 
company was recruited from Middlesex County, and the muster roll 
is still preserved among the Massachusetts Archives (XCVIII) at 
the State House, in the volume marked “Muster Rolls, 1760-1761.” 
(VIII. 313-315.) During the Revolution Captain Whiting was a 
resident of Hollis, and he, too, was a tory. An account of his adven¬ 
tures with some patriotic women of the neighborhood is given in 
Caleb Butler’s “History of Groton” (pages 336, 337). 
if Mr. Holden died at Hollis. He left a “Register” of his children, 
handsomely written by himself and framed, which is now in the 
possession of a grandson, William Bunton of Boston. 

1 Archives, 94:123, 125, 526; 95:73, 238, 239; 98:315; 99:122. 


176 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


After the death of Sergeant David Holden, the Journal passed 
into the hands of a son, Phineas Hemenway Holden, who left it to a 
daughter Mary, wife of Dexter Greenwood, of Hollis, by whom it 
was given, perhaps twenty-five years ago, to her cousin Dr. Sylvanus 
Bunton (son of Andrew and Lavinia); and after Dr. Bunton’s death 
the book came into the possession of his son, Henry Sylvanus Bunton, 
who now has given it to this Society. 1 

According to an advertisement in The Boston Weekly News- 
Letter , July 3, 1760, forty-one companies had been mustered into 
the service of the Province, during the campaign of 1760, up to July 1, 
either at Worcester by Commissary Anthony Wheelock, or at 
Springfield by Ensign Campbell, and then marched westward from 
those towns. 

The Journal consists of 64 pages of a small blank-book; and 104 
remaining pages are filled with the ordinary memoranda usually 
found in such a book and extending through a period of twelve years. 
From these entries it appears that Sergeant Holden was a farmer and 
a cooper; and occasionally he let his horse or his cart and oxen to 
some of his neighbors to do work. 2 ” 

David Holden was a minor at the time of his father’s death. Amos 
Lawrence of Groton was appointed his guardian. By his father’s 
will Isaiah and David were to receive the homestead, and on the 
22 April, 1760, David Holden of Groton, cooper, conveyed to Henry 
Farwell of Groton 70 acres in Groton where John Holden, late of 
Groton, deceased, last dwelt, one parcel on the westerly side of road 
leading by dwelling house, easterly by said road, southerly by Captain 
Samuel Tarbell, westerly by said Tarbell, northerly by Ebenezer 
Green, together with a dwelling house and barn standing on same; 
also another parcel bounded westerly by the river, southerly by the 
road leading to the bridge, easterly by said Tarbell's land, northerly 
by said Green. The other piece consists of orcharding on easterly 
side road leading by the dwelling house, bounded all round by a town 
way. 3 

He settled in Townsend either in 1760 or 1761, and the latter year 
bought a farm of 45 acres there of the estate of Rev. Phineas Hemen¬ 
way, his father-in-law, 26 Aug., 1761. This same farm he sold 28 Oct., 
1765 to Zachariah Emery of Townsend for £82, half what he had 
given for it. 4 

In 1790 he was enumerated at Hollis, head of a family consisting 
of self, two males under sixteen, and two females. 

1931 Stephen (Stephen, Stephen , Richard ), born 11 June, 1720, 
at Groton; died 22 Feb., 1791, at Shirley, in his seventy-first year 

1 Massachusetts Historical Society. 

2 Proceedings of Massachusetts Historical Society, Vol. IV, pages 384-385. 

3 Middlesex Deeds, 59:338. * Ibid, 64:208, 209. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


177 


(g.s.); married 11 March, 1739-40, at Boxford, 1 Sarah Wheelock 
of Lunenburg, died 4 Feb., 1810, at Shirley, aged 90 (g.s). 

Children, born at Groton and Shirley 2 : 

1 Sarah, born 24 March, 1741-2, at Groton; died in Pepperell; married 
1768 Lemuel Woods of Shirley, born 23 Sept., 1742, at Groton, 
son of Aaron and Sarah (Boynton) Woods. 

Children, 3 born at Shirley: 

1. Sarah Woods, born 16 Jan., 1769; died March, 1855, at Malone, 

N. Y.; married William Sabine of Putney, Vt. 

2. Hannah Woods, born 6 Oct., 1770; died at Worcester, Vt.; 

married Elijah Whitney of Putney. 

3. Molly Woods, born 10 June, 1772; died 17 June, 1845, at 

Cambridge, Mass.; married 13 March, 1793, Benjamin 
Warren; (2) 15 Oct., 1799, Eleazer Robbins of Lancaster. 

4. Stephen Woods, born 3 May, 1774; died 1 June, 1824; married 

14 March, 1798, Asenath Shedd. 

5. Lydia Woods, born 15 April, 1776; married Jonas Pushee; 

(2) James Masters of Hinsdale, N. H. 

6. Emma Woods, born 1778; died 1780. 

7. Aaron Woods, died young. 

8. Levi Woods, born 19 May, 178-; married Betsey Pratt of 

Brattleboro, and lived at Chittenden, Vt. 

2- 2 Francis, born 6 May, 1743, at Groton; died later than 1810; married 

Abigail Closson. 

3- 3 Stephen, born 16 March, 1744-5, at Groton; died 7 Oct., 1821; 

married Martha Wason. 

4- 4 Charles, born 17 July, 1747; living 1810; married Deborah 

Crawford. 

5- 5 Zachariah, born 3 April, 1750; died prior to 1791; his name nowhere 

appears in 1790 census; married Rebecca Martin. 

6- 6 Sawtel, born 13 May, 1753; died Oct., 1840; married Hannah Cook. 
7 Anna (Emme), born 15 April, 1761; married John Davis who died 

8 Feb., 1827, son of John and Hulda (Thayer) Davis. They removed 
to Westminster, Vt., but returned to Shirley, where they lived 
upon the farm, in the western part of the town, later the residence 
of Andrew Nelson Holden and of Sylvanus Holden, “a country 
retreat of much natural beauty, enlarged by the taste of Mr. Davis. ” 
He was in the Continental service three years. 

Children : 4 

1. Emma Davis, born 6 Aug., 1781; married Roger Wheeler. 

2. John Davis, born 17 May, 1783; married Sylvia Edgerton. 

3. Sally Davis, born 31 March, 1785; married Aaron Lyon. 

4. Frederick Montgomery Davis, born 31 March, 1787; married 

Martha -of Deerfield, N. Y. 

5. Rosalinda Davis, born 17 March, 1790; married Henry Archer. 

6. Zenus Davis, born 3 June, 1792; married Martha Roby. 


1 Wheler on Boxford records. Lunenburg records give the marriage as 21 March. 

2 Town records. All but the youngest are recorded at Groton. 

3 See N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., 64:147. 4 Chandler: History of Shirley. 



178 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


7. Samuel Davis, born 20 Feb., 1794; married Nancy Hartwell. 

8. Berintha Davis, born 29 April, 179(5; married Chapman 

Hinckley Welden. 

9. Chastina Davis, born 29 April, 1798; married Abijah Sanderson. 

10. Anna Davis, born 26 Feb., 1800; died 3 Dec., 1817. 

11. Lucy Davis, born 23 Oct., 1801; died 3 Oct., 1802. 

12. Hiram Davis, born 3 July, 1804; marriec Nancy Sawyer. 

13. Calvin Davis, born 12 May, 1806; married Susan Kellogg. 

The first dwelling of Stephen Holden in Shirley was a log cabin; 
afterward a frame house was built a few rods north of Luke Holden’s 
barn. He and Philemon, his brother, were among the petitioners 
for the organization of the town of Shirley. 

Stephen Holden, Jr., called in the deed, “laborer, of Groton,” 
received 17 Aug., 1741, from his father in consideration of love and 
affection conveying the northerly half part of a tract of land in 
Groton, on the west side Lancaster River, near a place called Beaver 
Pond, laid out to the right of Richard Holden, deceased, containing 
108 acres. This deed was not recorded until 1757. 1 

He bought of Phineas Whitman, 25 Oct., 1763, 18 acres in Shirley, 
adjoining his own land. On the 17 June, 1773, in consideration of 
£200 he granted to his son Sawtell Holden fifty acres out of the 
above, bounded in part by land of Philemon Holden, but possession 
not to pass until after his death. This was acknowledged 15 June, 
1778, and recorded 6 March, 1779. 2 

Stephen Holden was ensign under Captain Thomas Tarbell of 
Groton who lead a scouting party into the woods, 7-13 July, 1748. 
He had enlisted 24 June as Centinel in a company raised from 
Townsend, Lunenburg, Narragansett No. 2, and Leominster, com¬ 
manded by Captain Edward Hartwell, and was carried on the rolls 
of this company to 24 Oct., 1748, when the tour of service ended. 3 
These scouting parties were called upon to range the country to ’ 
protect the frontier towns from the Indian enemy reported to be 
in the vicinity. 

Stephen Holden was constable and sealer of leather, and at one 
time tax collector of Shirley. On 7 April, 1778, a resolve was passed 
by the General Court requiring him to deliver taxes in his hands. 
This matter was brought to the attention of the Legislature by a 
petition of the Assessors, 7 April, 1778, for leave to withdraw the 
tax for 1777 on account of a mistake. On the 29 May, John Avery 
et als , assessors of Shirley, memoralize the Court stating that Holden 
refused to obey the resolve, which led 5 June, 1778, to a resolve 
directing his arrest, and on 2 Oct., 1778, the General Court legalized 
the appointment of Sartell Holden (his son) of Shirley as tax collector. 4 

1 Middlesex Deeds, 56:87. 2 ibid 80:122. 

^Massachusetts Archives, 92:145, 156. * Ibid., 217:443, 444; 219:14-22, 357. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


179 


He is habitually styled “Old Stephen” in James Parker's diary, 
who notes his death on the twenty-second and funeral the 24 Feb., 
1791. On a call for men to be drafted in July, 1777, Parker notes 
the drafting of ‘ Old Stephen” 15 Aug., but many of these men did 
not go into the army, presumably furnishing substitutes when the 
call to active service came. He was among those drafted 21 June, 
1779, for nine months service in the Continental Army, but again 
many of those drafted did not go. The age limit was sixty years. 

In 1790 he w'as enumerated at Shirley, head of a family consisting 
of self, one other male over sixteen, two under sixteen, and two 
females. 

His will dated 3 Feb., 1791, was presented 16 March and proved 
19 April, 1791. To wife Sarah he gave all his personal estate except 
a legacy to grand-daughter Molly Woods, and his real estate for her 
life or during widowhood, with remainder to son-in-law John Davis. 

The cash legacies were bequeathed to sons Francis Holden and 
Stephen Holden; to grandson Zachariah, son of Zachariah, deceased, 
when of age, and to other children of son Zachariah; to sons Charles 
Holden and Sawtell Holden; and to daughters Sarah, wife of Lemuel 
Woods, and Emme, wife of John Davis. 

Inventory of personal estate, 20 April, 1791, £154-6-6. 

1934 Philemon (Stephen, Stephen , Richard ), born 28 Feb., 1725, 
at Groton, Mass.; died 19 June, 1810, buried 22 Jan., 1 at Shirley, 
“aged 86” (g.s .); married 10 June, 1750-1, at Groton, Lucy Walker, 
buried as “Graney Holden” 2 25 Nov., 1S09 3 (noted as 24 Nov., 1S00) 1 . 

Children, recorded on Shirley records, except the eldest: 

1-1 Lemuel, born 27 June, 1751, at Groton 4 ; married Lucy Bartlett. 

2 Lucy, born 27 March, 1753; published at Shirely 27 Nov., 

1775, to Jonas Page, 3 born 2 Sept., 1750, at Shirley, died 26 Jan., 

1822, at Shirley, son of Simon and Hannah, (Gilson) Page. He 

responded to the Lexington Alarm, lOApril, 1775. 

Children : 3 

1. Lucy Page, born 28 Feb., 1777; married 7 April, 1801, Moses 

Chaplin. 

2. Jonas Page, born 2 Feb., 1778; died 29 Sept., 1824, at Shirley; 

married 24 May, 1808, at Shirley, Eunice Wait. 

3. Peter Page, born 5 March, 1779; died young. 

4. Philemon Page, born 28 Dec., 1780; died 1846. 

5. Betsey Page, born 7 Dec., 1781; died 31 Jan., 1809; married 

6 Feb., 1802, John Ivory. 

6. Asa Page, born 25 Feb., 1783. 

7. Dennis Holden Page, born 27 March, 1784; died 4 May, 1851. 

at Shirley; married 11 July, 1807, Sarah Jannerson. 

i j ames Parker’s diarv. ~ Record of Mrs. C. K. Holton in l itril discords, 

3 Chandler: History of Shirley, whence the entire record of this family appears to have been taken. 

4 Town records. 


180 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


8. Maria Page, born 10 Aug., 1785; died young. 

9. James Page, born 11 Nov., 1786; died 13 April, 1849; married 

Rebecca Whitney. 

10. Maria Page, born 21 Jan., 1788; died 26 March, 1853; married 

David Sill. 

11. Eleanor Page, born 12 Dec., 1790; died 11 Oct., 1866, at Groton, 

unmarried. 

12. Peter Page, born 3 April, 1792; died 1794. 

13. Celinda Page, born 21 May, 1793; died 23 Oct., 1845; married 

12 Dec., 1812, Moses Kezer. 

14. Edy Holden Page, born 21 Sept., 1794; died 10 June, 1826; 

married 1823, Abraham Stone. 

15. Hannah Page, born 1 May, 1796; died 30 Aug., 1806. 

16. Lydia Whitney Page, born 27 Feb., 1798; died 26 March, 1853; 

married 8 Jan., 1828, Abraham Stone. 

3 Ede, born 10 June, 1755; married (intention 27 Aug., 1774) Benjamin 

Farwell, son of Oliger and Rejoice (Preston) Farwell. They 
removed to Chesterfield, N. H., where she married again. 

4 Philemon, born 1 April, 1757; died 4 Feb., 1761 ( g.s .). 

5 Dannice, born 2 Jan., 1760; married Eliza. James Parker in his 

diary notes that Dennis Holden was “raised for two months” 
29 Jan., 1776, but there is no record of his service. 

6- 6 Philemon, born 24 May, 1762; died Oct., 1804; married Huldah 

Davis. 

7- 7 Pbinehas, bom 6 April, 1764; died Sept., 1836; married Polly Craig; 

(2) Sukey Green. 

8- 8 Sylvanus, born 17 March, 1766; died 5 April, 1743; married Polly 

Bathrick. 

9 Phebe, born 16 Aug., 1768; married 18 Feb., 1798, at Shirley, John 
Warren, born 18 Nov., 1774, son of Jonathan and Joanna (Bartlett) 
Warren. 

Children: 

1. Betsey Warren, born 11 Sept., 1798. 

2. Cymantah, born 28 July, 1800. 

3. John Warren, born 29 April, 1802. 

4. Joanna Warren, born 30 Nov., 1803. 

10 Eleanor, born 23 July, 1770; died 23 Jan., 1771. 1 

11 Eleanor, born 10 May, 1773; died at Brimfield; married 16 Dec., 

1805, at Shirley, Thomas Gass (Goss) of Groton. 

Philemon Holden in the census of 1790 was the head of a family of 
self, another male over sixteen, one under sixteen, and three females. 

Philemon Holden received from his father, 5 Sept., 1748, a deed 
to 64 acres in Groton, on which was a small house. This was to be 
part of his share in his father’s estate and was to be appraised at 
74 ounces silver in the settlement. Here he settled on his marriage. It 
was in what was then the southwesterly part of Groton, later set off 
as Shirley. Luke Holden, a great-grandson, later possessed this farm. 

1 Shirley Vital Records. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


181 


193/ Lieutenant Simon Holden, ( Stephen, Stephen, Richard), 
bom 1731 at Groton; died later than 1790; married about 1752, 
Sarah 1 who died 27 Jan., 1777, aged 46 years, 4 months, 6 days ( g.s .). 

He married, second, (intention at Shirley, 4 May, 1780), Lois 
(Lamson ) Kezer, of Peppered, widow of Moses Kezer, a considerable 
landowner in Groton and Shirley, who died 7 May, 1778, and whose 
second wife she was. 

Children, born at Shirley: 

1 Abraham, born May, 1753; died 18 April, 1754 at Shirley. A slate 

monument bears this inscription: “This stone is erected in memory 
of the first burial in this yard, Abraham Holden, son of Lieut. 
Simon Holden and Sarah his wife, who died April 18, 1754, aged 
11 months.” 

2 Hannah, born 20 Jan., 1755; married (intention 29 June, 1776, at 

Shirley) Simeon Harrington, born 8 July, 1750. He lived in 
the north part of Shirley, on the farm lately owned by William 
Neat. He marched to Cambridge 19 April, 1775, and enlisted 
15 July, 1775, for eight months in the company of Captain Robert 
Longley. Those married during the war were exempt from military 
duty for one year. 2 

3-3 Simon, 2 born 22 May, 1757; died 22 July, 1826; married (1) Mary 
Pierce; (2) Lydia Page. 

4 Susannah, born 8 July, 1759; baptized 21 March, 1764, at Shirley; 
married (intention 17 Feb., 1782, at Shirley) Isaac Foster of 
Lunenburg. 

5-5 Abraham, born 25 June, 1761; baptized 21 March, 1764. 

6 Hezekiah, borii 5 May, 1764; died 27 July, 1767 (drowned). 

7 Miriam, born 23 July, 1766; married (intention 18 Jan., 1781, at 

Shirley) Jonathan Foster of Mason, N. H. 

Children : 2 

1. Jonathan Foster, born 5 Aug., 1782, at Shirley. 

2. Miriam Foster, born 12 June, 1785, at Shirley. 

8 Sarah, born 3 Nov., 1769; married 5 Feb., 1789 at Shirley, Ephraim 

Gilmore of Walpole. 

9-9 James, born 19 Feb., 1772; died Sept., 1815; married Persis Ray. 

10 Jemima, born 8 May, 1774; probably died unmarried. 

Simon Holden served in company commanded by Captain Hum¬ 
phrey Hobbs, 7 March to 10 Dec., 1748, as centinel. He received 
travel allowance for 80 miles “for soldiers returning from western 
frontiers, after being dismissed.” 3 In spite of his years he was com¬ 
missioned second lieutenant of the Shirley company, 6th Middlesex 
militia, 24 April, 1776. James Parker noted in his diary that “old 
Simon Holden” made a draft from the local company, and that on 
23 Dec., 1776, he marched off his band of soldiers. 

1 “I have recently been informed by an intelligent correspondent that her surname was Brown, that 
she was born 21 Sept., 1730; died 27 Jan., 1777.” (F. A. Holden.) 

2 Chandler- History of Shirley 3 Archives, 92:155, 190a; 93:15. 


182 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


His father conveyed to him “for love and affection,'’ 13 Mar., 
1752, four parcels of land in what is now Shirley, near the Squanicook 
River and hill of that name, which in the settlement of his estate 
was to be valued at 150 ounces of silver. He added to this grant by 
purchase in 1760 and 1762, about 120 acres, from which he sold 60 
acres in 1778 and 80 acres in 1788. His wife joins in the latter con¬ 
veyance, in which he is described as gentleman. Up to this time 
there is no mention of any suits at law against him, and doubt exists 
if the statement made by Chandler in the “History of Shirley,” 
that at “a later date he became reduced in property through the 
mean treatment of those in whom he confided his business transac¬ 
tions.” The same authority asserts he died at Lunenburg, at the 
house of a Mrs. Moffit, and that in the parlance of that day, during 
his prosperity he was called a rich man, having reduced to cultivation 
lands which gave him large returns. 

He was enumerated in the census of 1790 at Shirley, head of a 
family consisting of self, wife, one male under sixteen, and daughter. 
There is no settlement of his estate. 

193K Lieutenant Jonas ( Stephen , Stephen , Richard ), born 
8 Sept., 1751 1 (8 Aug., 1752 2 ), at Groton; died 19 April, 1835, 3 at 
Wallingford, Vt., and was buried in the Doty Cemetery, South Wal¬ 
lingford, near his son Charles; married Dec., 1775, at Littleton 
(intention 18 Nov., at Westford), Sarah Read, died 23 April, 1856, 
aged 99 years, 3 months, 18 days, 4 daughter of Stephen and Betsey 
(Bates) Reed. She made affidavit in Sept., 1837, that she was then 
aged 80 years, and was married in “the forepart of December, 1775”. 3 
In 1850 she was living with her son Luther, when her age was given 
as 93 years. 

Children: 5 

1 Ruth, born 17 Jan., 1776. 

2-2 Charles, born 4 Dec., 1779; died 17 May, 1857; married Polly 
Bigelow. 

3 Sarah, born 27 Dec., 1780; married 19 Dec., 1804, at Billerica, 
Cornelius Whitcomb of Billerica. 6 

4- 4 Luther, born 9 Jan., 1782 at “ Jaffrey, N. H. living 1877; married 

Patty Howard. 

5- 5 Stephen, born 10 Nov., 1788; died “aged 96 years”; married 

Priscilla Barnard. 

6 Harriet, born 10 March, 1791, at Ludlow, Vt.; died 24 Dec., 1881; 

1 Town records. 

2 Family records, but the age given on grave stone is 83 years. 

3 Statement of widow in pension papers. 

4 Information of Nelson W. Cook. Crosby’s Obituary Annual, 1857, records that she had twelve children 
seventy-two grandchildren, one hundred eighteen great-grandchildren, fourteen of the next, and two 
possibly more, great-great-great-grandchildren. 

6 F. A. Holden Ms. Data collected in 1877 when Luther and Stephen were living. 

6 Reading records. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


183 


married 11 Feb., 1812, John Bigelow, brother of Polly above, 
born 17 Aug., 1817, died 28 May, 1847, son of Nathan and Elizabeth 
(Oak) Bigelow. 1 They lived at Crown Point, N. Y. 

Children 1 : 

1. John Bigelow. 

2. Orson Bigelow. 

3. Matilda Bigelow. 

4. Hartwell Bigelow. 

5. Augustus Bigelow. 

6. Darius Bigelow. 

7. Stephen Bigelow. 

8. Charles Bigelow. 

9. Sarah Bigelow. 

7 Matilda, born 14 March, 1793 at Mt. Holly; married 18 Feb., 1820, 

at Mt. Holly, Rudolphus Field . 2 

8 Jonas, born 22 July, 1795, at Mt. Holly; married 21 Dec., 1820, at 

Mt. Holly, Mehitable Lee . 2 

9 Hannibal, born 15 May, 1799. He is said to have had a son Hartwell, 

who served in the Union Army, and who lived in Oshkosh, Wis., 
and later in southern Missouri, and who is further said to have 
had by wife Armitta, the following children: 

1. Theodore. 

2. Fernando. 

3. Horatio. 

4. Denman. 

5. Mary. 

Jonas Holden, by his father’s will, was to share his father’s real 
estate with his brother Ephraim. He purchased the latter’s interest, 
but soon sold the whole to Joseph Moors, 5 Nov., 1772, described 
as 513/2 acres on the east side of the road leading by the house, and 
settled in Chelmsford, where he was living in 1774; but that same 
year on 4 July, described as of New Ipswich, N. H., he sold two 
acres and a house there. The following year he was described as 
of Westford, Mass., and in 1778 he and his wife dispose of land 
in Chelmsford. 3 He was styled “gentleman.” He removed to Jaffrey, 
N. H., and then to Ludlow, Vt., where he settled on the flats on 
the north bank of the Black River. The census of 1790 enumerated 
him there, head of a family consisting of self, four males under 
sixteen, and three females. He bought land in that part of Ludlow 
set off as Mount Holly, and removed thither. He was chosen assessor 
at the first town meeting, 8 Oct., 1792, and surveyor in 1794, and 
also held the office of tythingman. He finally removed to Wallingford, 
where he died. 

Fie marched on the alarm of 19 April, 1775, in Captain Oliver 
Bates’ company from Westford, and enlisted in the company com- 


1 Oakes Genealogy. 


2 Town records. 


1 Middlesex Deeds. 


184 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


manded by Captain Joshua Parker, Colonel Prescott’s regiment, 
19 April (also given 26 April), 1775, and continued in the service 
throughout the war. He was wounded at Bunker Hill, and the 
next day was appointed corporal. It is said he was wounded in the 
thigh and was a conspicuous mark as he wore a red shirt. He next 
appears as ensign in company commanded by Captain Jonas Cole, 
Robinson’s regiment, on an undated roll. Commissioned lieutenant, 
14 March, 1778, in Captain Joshua Parker's company, Wade's 
regiment, having engaged 1 Jan. 1778, for one year, and saw service 
in Rhode Island in both Parker’s and Boynton’s companies, being 
stationed there for nine months, part of the time at East Greenwich. 
So much of his service record appears in Massachusetts records. 1 
From the papers in his pension case, abstracts given below, further 
details appear. 

On the fifteenth of March, 1833, 2 Jonas Holden, a pensioner of 
the United States, deposed that in 1775 soon after the battle of 
Concord he enlisted for eight months, and served as corporal in 
Captain Parker’s company, Prescott’s regiment, and served out 
his time at Cambridge, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He 
lived in Westford, when he entered the service. In March, 1776, 
he enlisted for nine months and was appointed a sergeant in Captain 
Joshua Parker's company, Reed’s regiment. He marched to Ticon- 
deroga, and was in the battle in the flotilla on Lake Champlain. He 
was wounded in both the above mentioned battles. He was dis¬ 
charged at Albany in December, 1776, or January following. In the 
spring of 1777 he was appointed ensign in Captain Cole’s company, 
Robinson's regiment, and served as such until January, 1778, he 
thinks, when he was appointed a lieutenant and so continued until 
the winter after the capture of Cornwallis, at Y T orktown in 1781, 
when the supernumerary officers left the service. He being one, 
he received a certificate from General Lee that he was entitled to 
five years half pay. He was at that time doing duty in a southern 
regiment, the Colonel’s name he thinks was St. Clair, or some such 
name, but he is not certain, he having served in that regiment only 
during the siege of Yorktown. He served on the right wing, in the 
flank guard. Previous to this he served part of the time in Colonel 
Wade’s regiment and part of the time on the recruiting service. 
On the march to Virginia he had the command of thirty-seven new 
recruits whom he had enlisted at Rhode Island a short time before, 
nd was not attached to any regiment until he arrived at Yorktown. 

William Burrows, born 14 Oct., 1760, certified he saw Jonas 
Holden, then a lieutenant, enlist men and march them off in 1779. 


1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

2 He had made a previous declaration 4 March, 1829, at which time he was living at Crown Point He 
was pensioned 3 March, 1826, and had received $720. His commission was destroyed when his house 
was burned in 1783. (Pension Papers.) 


FOURTH GENERATION 18o 

193L Ephraim (Stephen, Stephen , Richard ), born 16 Sept., 
17d3, at Groton, that part now Shirley, Mass.; died later than 1820; 
married Hannah, born about 1762, aged 58 in 1820, 1 died 19 June, 
1836, at Athens, Vt., “aged 73. ” 2 
Children 2 : 

1 Roxy, born 17 April, 1779, at “King’s, N. H.” 

2 “Right” (Wright), born 12 Nov., 1781, at Westminster; died 1 April, 

1782. 2 

3 Nancy, born 22 April, 1783, at Athens. 

4 Hannah, born 15 May, 1785, at Athens. Probably the Hannah 

Holden, aged 60 with whom Edward Ball and his family were 
living in 1850. 3 She was “aged 75” in 1860 and living with Edward 
Ball at Athens. 

5 Nabby, born 26 Aug., 1787, at Athens. Probably the Abigail Holden 

who married Uriah Miller of Westminster, 3 Dec., 1812, at Athens. 2 

6 Frazier, born 29 June, 1790, at Athens. 

7 Sally, born 10 Jan., 1792, at Athens. Probably the Sally Holden 

who married Rufus Whitney of Athens, 8 July, 1816, at Athens . 2 

8 ?Son, between 10 and 16 years of age in 1810. 

9 Candice, born 1802. 1 

10 Elvira, born 1804, 1 aged 45 in 1850, aged 52 in 1860; married 24 

March, 1833, at Athens , 2 Edward H. Ball, a farmer, aged 48 in 
1860. 

Children : 3 

1. Julia Ball, born 1827. 

2. Lorence Ball, born 1832. 

3. Rolla B. Ball, born 1839, living 1860. 

4. Abbie Elvira Ball, born 1841, living 1860. 

5. LeRoy A. Ball, born 1844, living 1860. 

6. Homer E. Ball, born 1846, living 1860. 

11 Russell, born 1808. 1 Administrator of his father’s estate in 1838. 

He was not living in Windham County, Vt., in 1850. 


Ephraim Holden is named in his father’s will. He was to share 
with Jonas the lands and buildings left by his father. 28 Dec., 1768, 
Jonathan Lawrence was appointed his guardian. In 1774 he was 
of Lunenburg, and that year deeded his interest in his father’s estate 
to Jonas, but the acknowledgment was not made until 23 March, 
1789, at Windham, Vt. 4 He enlisted 25 April, 1775, Captain John 
Fuller’s company, Colonel Asa Whitcomb’s regiment, and was 
stationed at Prospect Hill, Somerville. His name appears on a 
pay roll of the company of October, 1775. 5 

From his declaration made 20 June, 1820, further details con¬ 
cerning his service appear. He was then aged 67, a resident of 

1 Pension Papers, declaration of Ephraim Holden. 

2 Athens records, where the births of the first seven children are found recorded. 

3 Census of 1850. 

4 Middlesex Deeds, 100:212. 5 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 


186 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Athens. He enlisted in 1775 for eight months, and served the time 
out. He reenlisted in January, 1776, in the Continental Army, for 
one year, in company of Captain Joseph Moors, Colonel William 
Prescott’s regiment, and was honorably discharged at expiration of 
term of enlistment. He reentered the service and served three months. 
His first application was made 20 April, 1818, which resulted in a 
pension (Ctf. 9674). He was a farmer. His family consisted of 
wife, aged 58, totally unable to labor, in ill health for many years, 
three children living with him, Candice, aged 18, Elvira, aged 16, 
in feeble health, and Russell, aged 12, is his main dependence for 
help. He was himself lame, suffering from a bad “breach ” (rupture). 
He made affidavit 25 July, 1832, asserting that he was 78 years old, 
and had been dropped from the pension rolls because he had property. 
He served the first eight months of his enlistment near Boston, and 
about January first enlisted in Moors' company, Whitcomb’s regi¬ 
ment, and faithfully served out said time in the State of New Jersey, 
where he reenlisted for three months in Captain Rand’s company, 
in a Massachusetts regiment, and was discharged near Bound Brook, 
N. J. In the year 1778 he volunteered at Rindge, N. H., and served 
in Rhode Island; was in the battle there, and retreated from the 
island with the army under General Sullivan. To the best of his 
recollection he was in the service at Rhode Island about six weeks 
or more. 1 

It is said that Ephraim Holden, Seth Oaks, and Jonathan Perham 
left Winchendon in the fall of 1779 to establish themselves at Athens. 
Ephraim Holden, however, in 1779 was a resident of Rindge, N. H., 
across the line from Winchendon. These pioneers built a log cabin 
at Athens, and the following spring brought in their families. “The 
snow was four feet deep when they came into town and they had 
to beat their own path for eight miles through the woods. A small 
yoke of oxen were the only domestic animals they brought with 
them." 

The census of 1790 found Ephraim Holden at Athens, head of a 
family consisting of self and seven females. In 1810 he was head of 
a family of self, one male between ten and sixteen, one under ten, 
one female over forty-five, two between twenty-six and forty-five, 
one between sixteen and twenty-six, and two under ten years. 

1947 Captain Asa ( Nathaniel , Stephen , Richard), born 23 Aug., 
1732, at Groton; died 23 June, 1813, at Shirley, in his eighty-first 
year ( q.s .); married 6 Dec., 1757, at Groton, Dorothy Wait, born 

* Pension Case. See also roll of regiment commanded by Colonel Enoch Hale, which marched from 
New Hampshire to join the Continental Army in Rhode Island, August, 1778, company of Captain Samuel 
Cunningham, enlisted 10 Aug., discharged 28 Aug. Also roll of company commanded by Captain Josiah 
Fish, Colonel Stephen Bradley, Vermont militia, in march toward Guilford, 16 SeDt. to 20 Sent 1782 
( N. H. Revolutionary Rolls and Vermont Revolutionary Rolls.) 



Asa Holden Homestead, Shirley 


















FOURTH GENERATION 


187 


9 Sept., 1734, at Groton, died 5 July, 1807, at Shirley, in seventy- 
third year (g.s.), daughter of Phineas and Mary (Hubbard) Wait. 1 

He married, second, (intention at Shirley, 28 Oct., 1810) Sybil 
Lakin of Pepperell, born 20 May, 1780, died 1835 (will proved 
2 June), daughter of Isaac, Jr., and Mary (Lawrence) Lakin. 2 Her 
will dated 21 Feb. 1832, named Deacon Jonas Parker, executor, and 
provided for a silver tankard to be purchased for the “Orthodox” 
church at Pepperrell, to the poor of which she also gave one hundred 
dollars. Bequests were made to Sarah, wife of Richard Sawtell, Esq., 
Sibbel, wife of Amos Hosmer, Hannah, wife of William Hosmer, 
Lucinda, wife of Wilder Knight, Jonathan Green, widow of Moses 
Shattuck, wife of Joshua Parker, Hannah Baker, the daughter of 
Abel Parker, and Dolly Holden. 

Children, born at Shirley: 3 

1- 1 Asa, born 5 April, 1758; died 24 Jan., 1850; married Dorcas Sawtell. 

2- 2 Phinehas, born 14 July, 1760; died 25 Nov., 1814; married Miriam 

Longley. 

3- 3 Nathaniel, born 9 July, 1762; died 30 Nov., 1842; married Betsy 

Atherton; (2) Mrs. Elizabeth (Hunt) Tuttle. 

4- 4 Edmund, born 9 Nov., 1765; died 7 Aug., 1827; married Sukey 

Rockwood. 

5- 5 Levi, born 25 Dec., 1767; died 5 Dec., 1866, at Hawley; married 

Lydia Warden; (2) Mary Longley. 

6- 6 Joseph, born 5 Dec., 1769; died 14 Nov., 1863, at Marietta, Ohio; 

married Eliza Hanaway. 

7 Lydia, born 8 Feb., 1772; died 31 July, 1786 (g.s. at Shirley). 

8 Jonas, born 18 June, 1774; died unmarried, 11 March, 1811, at 

Coxsackie, N. Y., whither he had removed. 

9 Dolly, born 28 Aug., 1776; died 29 Nov., 1859, at Lunenburg; 

married 11 Aug., 1835, Samuel Cook of Lunenburg. 

Captain Asa Holden obtained his military title in the militia. 
He served in Captain Hobbs’ company, in Winslow’s regiment, at 
Annapolis Royal, N. S. On a roll dated 28 May, 1755, he is described 
as aged 22 years, born in Groton. There is an unauthenticated 
tradition that he received a grant of land in Nova Scotia in 1758. 
He was commissioned ensign in the Shirley company, January, 
1762, and later, probably in 1771, lieutenant. 4 

He was a farmer and tanner, an important man in the town, and 
for a period of fifteen years, prior to and after the American Revolu¬ 
tion, was one of the selectmen. His homestead remained in the 
family and was owned by Almond M. Holden, a great grandson. 
There is no settlement of his estate. The census of 1790 found him 
head of a family consisting of himself, four other males over sixteen, 
one male under sixteen, and three females. 


1 Middlesex Deeds, 84:493. 
3 F. A. Holden Ms. 


2 Farnsworth Memorial. 
•Archives, 99:34, 441. 


188 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


1948 Captain Jabez ( Nathaniel , Stephen , Richard ), born 12 
May, 1735, at Groton, “on the Sabbath," 1 baptized 18 May; died 
11 August, 1787, at Groton, aged 53 ( g.s .); married 11 June, 1761, 
at Groton, 2 Rachel Farnsworth, born 29 Jan., 1738-9, ” on Sabbath 
Day at seven in the morning, 5,1 at Groton, 3 died 26 Jan., 1829, 4 
at the home of her son Samuel at Moose River, Me., daughter of 
Amos and Lydia (Longley) Farnsworth. 3 
Children, 4 all baptized in Groton church: 

1 Sarah, born 13 Aug., 1762; married- Frost (perhaps Jonathan 

Bigelow Frost, who had wife Sarah). 

2 Jabez, born 2 July, 1766; died 2 June, 1807 “without a family”. 5 

3 Olive, born 17 Sept., 1768; living 1787. 

4- 4 Samuel, born 17 June, 1772; died 19 March, 1858; married Jane 

Farnsworth. 

5- 5 Benjamin, born 8 June, 1775; died about 1845; married Emma 

Farwell. 

6 Rachel, twin with Benjamin, married 28 Nov., 1799, Ebenezer 
Burgess, born 12 July, 1776, died 20 March, 1832, son of Samuel 
and Sarah (Wing) Burgess. Removed to Harford, N. Y., near which 
place, at Virgil, she was living in 1845. On the 13 April, 1845, she 
wrote to her brother, Samuel Holden, that during the past season 
she had woven 400 yards of cloth and “yesterday and the day before, 
wove 10 yards of diaper.” 

Children: 

1. Ebenezer Burgess, died in infancy. 

2. Paulina Burgess, died June, 1840, in Ohio. She was twice married; 

by her first marriage had one child; by her second marriage 
three children, one of whom died prior to 20 Nov., 1841, in 
Ohio; married (2) - Moffatt. 

3. Susan Burgess, married Charles Preston. In 1845 she had 

eight children, of whom three sons and three daughters were 
born prior to 1840, and lived five miles from her mother. 

4. Eliza Burgess, married Erving Taintor. She had six children 

in 1845, of whom the three eldest were E. Burgess Taintor, 
Albert Taintor, Emeline Taintor. 

Jabez Holden was a cordwainer. He had a half interest with his 
brother Isaac in his father’s dwelling house, which he conveyed to 
Isaac in 1754. He settled on that part of the old Holden property 
which lies southwest of Groton School, and which adjoined the 
Moors farm. He was one of the members of the company of Minute 
Men commanded by Captain John Sawtell, Colonel James Prescott’s 
regiment, which marched on the Alarm of the nineteenth of April, 
1775, and was credited with four and one-half days service. He was 
present at the battle of Bunker Hill, and was wounded in the side and 

1 Family Bible. 2 Church records. 3 Butler: History of Groton. 

4 F. A. Holden Ms. The two youngest children are not on town records. 

^Information of Otis Holden, 1877, whose daughter has the family Bible of Rachel Holden. 




FOURTH GENERATION 


189 


sustained also a broken arm, yet brought away his musket. He was 
in the breast-work when the enemy took the position from the flank. 
He was commissioned captain of the 1st (Groton) company, 6th 
Middlesex regiment, 24 April, 1776, and in December was appointed 
to command drafted men ordered to march to Fairfield, Conn. 1 In 
August of that year he was one of the Court Martial which cashiered 
James Parker of Shirley. During Shays’ Rebellion he was one of the 
sixty-eight townsmen of Groton who petitioned for a special town 
meeting (June, 1786) to consider the articles proposed by sympathizer 
with Shays and Shattuck. Two hundred and seventy-eight residents 
of Groton and adjoining towns were called on to take the oath of 
allegiance after the outbreak under Shays had been quelled. The 
valuation of 1770 listed Jabez Holden as one of the more substantial 
freeholders in Groton. He and the widow, Deborah Holden, were 
the only ones of the name to appear in the valuation. 

In 1790 Rachel Holden was enumerated in Groton, head of a 
family consisting of herself, one other female, two males over sixteen 
years, and one under sixteen. 

His will dated 26 July, 1787, was proved 18 September following. 
To his wife Rachel he gave the improvement of his homestead, a 
third interest after Benjamin became twenty-one years of age, and 
half the land on the west side of the river. The homestead was given 
to Samuel and Benjamin, and legacies were given Jabez, Sarah 
(called Frost), Olive and Rachel. One the 26 July, 1797, Samuel and 
Benjamin Holden conveyed to David Davis, the homestead of 100 
acres. Rachel Holden, widow of Jabez, quitclaimed her interest. 
The following February Samuel sold 60 acres on the west side of the 
river (his wife Jane, and mother Rachel joining), and in November, 
1798, Benjamin sold his interest in the same, his wife Emma and 
mother joining. 2 These transactions were preparatory to removal 
from Groton. The mother accompanied Samuel to Maine. 


1962 Captain William ( William , Stephen , Richard ), born 19 Feb., 
1728-9, at Groton; baptized 3 March, 1728-9; died 8 Nov., 1807, at 
Springfield, Vt., aged 79 years, 8 months, 6 days; 3 married 10 Nov., 
1747, 4 Annes Nutting, born 22 May, 1730, died 25 Oct., 1815, at 
Springfield, daughter of Jonathan andMary (Green) Nutting of Groton. 

William Holden and wife Annes joined with John Swallow and 
wife Sarah, Josiah Blodget and wife Jemima of Dunstable, Nathaniel 
Blodget and wife Mary, Timothy Moors and wife Lydia, James 
Stone, Jr., and wife Deborah, all of Groton, in conveying to William 
Nutting their interest in the estate of their father Jonathan Nutting, 

11 May, 1754. 5 


i Massachusetts’ Revolutionary Rolls. 

3 Town records. 4 Groton 


church records. 


2 Middlesex Deeds, 126:358; 130:268; 131:90. 
5 Middlesex Deeds, 53:345. 


190 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children: 

1 Annes, born 27 Aug., 1748, at Groton; 1 died 28 Jan., 1749. 

2 Annes, born 16 Nov., 1749; died same day. 1 

3 William, born 1 Aug., 1751, at Groton; 1 died 14 Feb., 1755. 

4-4 Nathaniel, born 15 Aug., 1753, at Groton; 1 died 21 July, 1841; 

married Lettice Grout; (2) Hannah Parker. 

5 Annes, born 6 July, 1758 at Groton; 2 married in 1774, Joseph Wilson, 

born 1752 at Woburn. 

Children, nine in all, born between 1775 and 1798, all died in youth 

except 

1. Deborah Wilson, born 24 May, 1777, at Charlestown, N. H.; 

married Joseph Wilson. 

2. Sophia Wilson, born 11 May, 1789; married 22 Jan., 1807, 

Roswell Hubbard. 

3. Samuel Wilson, born 19 March, 1791; married (l) Sarah Parker; 

(2) Fanny J. Parker. 3 He was living at Vergennes, Vt., 

in 1878. 

6 Polly, born 15 Feb., 1763, 3 at Charlestown, N. H.; married 30 Aug., 

1784, at Charlestowm, 1 William Henry, Jr., son of William and 

Mary (Harper) Henry. 

Children : 3 

1. Harriet Henry, born 15 Oct., 1785; married William Williams 

of Troy, N. Y. 

2. William Henry, born 22 March, 1788; married Fanny Goodhue 

of Chester, Vt. 

3. Theodosia Henry, born 10 Oct., 1789; married John Gill of 

New York. 

4. James Henry, born 12 March, 1791; married Sally Earle 

of Chester, Vt. 

5. Polly Henry, married Thomas Robinson of Chester, Vt. 

6. Anna Henry, married Thomas F. Hammond of West Windsor, Vt. 

7. Elthera Henry, married Enos Lovell, Jr., of Chester, Vt. 

7-7 William, born 29 Oct., 1764, at Charlestown, N. H.; 3 died 3 March, 

1813; married Hannah Parker. 

In a letter of date of 30 May, 1867, Elijah Holden says: 

“My grandfather, William Holden, when about sixteen years old 
enlisted as private and was with General Putnam and Major Rogers 
at Crown Point and Old Ticonderoga (was also present at Louisburg 
and the surrender of General Burgoyne), was made ensign, and when 
they were removed from that post he was commissioned lieutenant, 
and was with Wolfe at the taking of Quebec. During the Revolution 
he received a dispatch from General Washington enclosing a captain’s 
commission, with orders to enlist two hundred men, have them well 
equipped, furnished with snowshoes, for the purpose of burning 
the British fleet, frozen up just below Quebec in the River St. 
Lawrence. In the spring he was ordered to disband his men.” 

1 Town records. 2 R. W. Holden Ms. 8 History of Charlestown, N. 77., pp. 410, 630. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


191 


William Holden was a soldier in the French War and served 
31 May to 17 Sept., 1754, in company commanded by Captain 
Humphrey Hobbs, Colonel Winslow’s regiment, raised for service 
in the defence of southern frontier. His name appears also on a 
roll dated 30 May, 1754, as of Groton, same company and credited 
with 40 miles travel. It is plain he had enlisted earlier than the dates 
above. He received a bounty of 28 shillings. 1 William Holden, aged 
27, was a member of Captain Hobbs’ company, 28 May, 1755 at 
Annapolis. His residence is here given as Groton and birthplace as 
“ Bloody Point.” 

Captain William Holden was an officer in Colonel Timothy 
Bedell’s regiment, which was raised in November, 1777, and dis¬ 
charged in March, 1778. This regiment was on duty upon the upper 
Connecticut River frontier for service as occasion might require. 
He was also captain of a company in Colonel Timothy Bedell’s 
regiment, which was raised for frontier duty, or Continental service 
as occasion might require, early in 1778, and which was discharged 
in March of the same year. 2 

It is recorded on his gravestone that he was at the capture of 
Louisburg, 1745; at Fort William Henry, 1757; again at the capture 
of Louisburg in 1758, and the taking of Quebec 3 and Montreal in 
1759 and 1760. A powder horn now in possession of Rev. Francis 
Holden, has the following inscription: “ William Holden, Cape Bret- 
ton, July 28, 1758.” The head of King George, a deer and an owl 
are also carved on the horn. It is tradition that he did this with 
the broken blade of his knife, while a prisoner, and then when taken 
he was forced by the Indians to run the gauntlet, and of 42 who 
essayed the feat, but two lived. 4 

1963 Joshua (William, Stephen, Richard), born 6 Feb., 1729-30, 
at Groton; died 1 Dec., 1817, at Rindge, N. H.; married 8 June, 
1761, at Groton, 5 Sarah Bigelow. 

He married, second, 25 Jan., 1770, Huldah Simpson, 4 died 26 Feb., 
1795, at Ashburnham, aged “between 60 and 70 years.’ 0 

He married, third, 4 Oct., 1803 (intention at Ashburnham, 2 Sept.), 
Mrs. Phebe (Austin) Stiles, daughter of Daniel, Jr., and Phebe 
(Loveioy) Austin, and widow of Hezekiah Stiles of Rindge. 

Children: 5 

1-1 Joshua, born 28 Oct., 1765, at Groton; married Lydia Parker. 

2 Sarah, born 9 March, 1767, at Groton. 

By second marriage, born at Ashburnham : 5 
3-3 Reuben, born 13 Sept., 1770; died 4 April, 1799; married Hannah 
Nichols. 

i Archives, 93:106, 133, 139a. . \' History of Charlestoxon, N. H., pp. 410-630. 

3 Also statement of Zophar Holden to his son William. 

« R. W. Holden, Ms. 5 Town records. 


192 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


4 John, born 21 April, 1773; married 30 June, 1794, at Ashburnham, 
Anna Perry. Lived in Ashburnham. 

Joshua Holden of Shirley, on another roll described as of Groton, 
enlisted 31 May, 1754, receiving a bounty of twenty-eight shillings. 
He was discharged 6 Oct., 1754, from company commanded by 
Captain Hobbs which served on the eastern frontier under Colonel 
John Winslow. 

The following year Joshua Holden of Boston entered the service 
15 September, and was discharged 16 December following, having 
served in the company of Captain Moses Deshon, Colonel Gridley's 
regiment in the Crown Point Expedition. He is described on another 
roll as having enlisted out of Colonel William Brattle’s regiment 
to reenforce the army against Crown Point under Major General 
William Johnson, and to have enlisted out of Captain Benjamin 
Pratt’s company. This return was dated 7 Oct., 1755. 

Joshua Holden was one of the “bayonet men" in the Groton 
company commanded by Captain James Prescott, December, 1758. 1 
Only a part of the men were so described. 

In 1760 he enlisted from Groton, 21 June, and served until 2 Dec., 
1760, in company commanded by Captain William Williams. 2 

At the time of the Lexington Alarm he was living at Ashburnham, 
where he had settled in 1770, 3 and marched 20 April, 1775, in Captain 
Deliverance Davis's company, Colonel Asa Whetcomb’s regiment, 
and remained in the service ten days. He enlisted in the Continental 
Army in the spring of 1777, for three years, and his name appears 
on rolls dated 26 May, 1777 and 9 Feb., 1778, of Captain Haffield 
White’s company in Colonel Rufus Putnam's regiment. 

In 1790 Joshua Holden was enumerated at Ashburnham, having 
a family of three males over sixteen, including himself, and two 
females. After this he appears to have lived awhile in Weston, Vt., 
and later at Rindge. 

1965 Richard ( William, Stephen, Richard), born 25 Aug., 1734, 
at Groton; died a prisoner of war, probably in the winter of 1776; 
married 17 Nov., 1757, at Harvard, Mass., Dorothy Adams , 4 born 
1738, died 9 Feb., 1805, "aged 67" ( g.s . at Charlestown, N. H.). 

His widow was not enumerated in 1790 in New Hampshire as 
head of a family. 

Children: 

1-1 Richard, born 1 Sept., 1758, at Harvard; died about 1820; married 
Ruth Glidden. 

1 Green: Groton during the Indian Wars, p. 177. 

2 Archives, 93:106a, 133, 139a, 247, 248; 94:62; 98:291. 

3 Province Valuation of 1770. His name is misprinted in the History of Ashburnham, as Joseph . 

4 Town records. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


193 


2-2 Timothy, born 12 July, 17G0, at Harvard; died 9 Aug., 1833; married 
Hannah Glidden; (2) Mary Page; (3) Katherine Humphrey. 

3 Dolly, born 21 Dec., 1761, at Charlestown, N. H.; married Lovell 

Warren of Middlesex, Vt. 

4 Anna, died 10 Dec., 1805; married Seth Putnam, born 9 Aug., 

1754, at Charlestown, died 10 Feb., 1848, at Middlesex, brother 
of Levi Putnam below. He was town clerk, county judge, etc. He 
served in the army during the Revolution. 

Children, born at Middlesex : 1 

1. Sophronia Putnam, born 1780; died 8 Oct., 1838, at Middlesex; 

married John Arbuckle, who died 10 Aug., 1863, aged 80. 

2. Phila Putnam, died Nov., 1824, at Middlesex; married- 

Cushman. 

3. Holden Putnam, born 1781; died 19 Feb., 1867. He commanded 

a company at the Battle of Plattsburg. 

4. Seth Putnam, died at Malone, N. Y.; married- Rockwell. 

5. Catherine Putnam, died Sept., 1830; married Ezra Cushman. 

6. Lewis Putnam, died 18 Oct., 1814, wounded at battle of 

Plattsburg. 

7. Roswell Putnam, died Feb., 1839, at Peacham, Vt.; married 

Miss Fletcher. 

8. George Putnam, died in Georgia or Alabama; teacher, studied 

for the ministry; married- Watson. 

5 Amy, born 7 Feb., 1764, at Charlestown; married- Taplin. 

6 Rebecca, born 20 Oct., 1765, at Charlestown; died 20 June, 1841 

married 29 March, 1784, at Charlestown, Levi Putnam, born 11 
Feb., 1757, at Charlestown; died 22 Feb., 1836, 1 son of Ebenezer 
and Mary (Parker) Putnam. They lived in Middlesex and 
Charlestown. Levi Putnam served in the army during the 
Revolution. 

Children: 

1. Ira Putnam, born 1786; married Feb., 1823, Susan Kimball. 

2. Parker Putnam, born April, 1789; died May, 1814, at 

Charlestown. 

3. Betsey Putnam, born Dec., 1791; married Abner Doty. 

4. Hiram Putnam, born 1798; died 23 March, 1858; married 

1 Feb., 1824, Emily Griswold. 

5. Sophia Willard Putnam, born June, 1800; married (intention 

10 Nov., 1822) William Farwell, born 11 Aug., 1797, died 
21 June, 1862, at Buffalo, N. Y. 

6. Levi Putnam, born March, 1805; died 1845; married Phileta 

Wentworth. He was a physician at Felchville, Vt. 

7-7 Edmund, born 23 Oct., 1767, at Charlestown; married Mary. 

8 Louisa, born 18 Dec., 1769, at Charlestown; married 7 Feb., 1788, 

at Charlestown, Reuben Nott; (2) - Moseley. 

9 2 Lovinia (Sophia), (? married - Moseley). 

1 History of Putnam Family, annotated. 

i The R. W. Holden Ms. gives also Olive, died 24 Dec., 1820, at Charlestown; married (int. 24 June, 
1792, at Charlestown) Ebenezer Farnsworth; but the History of Charlestown calls this woman Olive Hayden, 
both in the list of publishments and in the Farnsworth Genealogy. She is not in the F. A. Holden Ms. 








194 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Richard Holden of Harvard enlisted as centinel 31 May, 1754, 
and served until 15 Sept., 1754, in company commanded by Captain 
Fhineas Osgood, Colonel John Winslow’s regiment, raised for the 
defence of the eastern frontier. He received a bounty of 28 shillings. 
He also served from 8 Feb. to 14 March, 1755, with a detachment 
at Charlemont under Ensign John May, and as centinel at the 
“Line of Forts” 15 March to 9 June, 1755. He is given as “enlisted 
in company of Israel Williams for Crown Point.” The following 
year he enlisted 18 April and served until 10 Dec., 1756, in Crown 
Point Expedition, 1 as centinel, in company commanded by Lieutenant 
Simon Davis. 

In 1758 Richard Holden, described as of Harvard, cordwainer, 
purchased six acres on Snake Hill, Harvard, “west of his dwelling 
house” and also meadow. On the 25 Oct., 1762, described as of 
Charlestown, N. H., he sold the above six acres. 2 He had removed 
to Charlestown the preceding year. 

Notwithstanding he was a New Hampshire man, he enlisted in 
Captain Kimball’s company, 27th Massachusetts regiment, and 
was appointed sergeant. He was taken prisoner at King’s Bridge, 
29 Oct., 1776. 3 Family tradition asserts he was taken prisoner at 
the surrender of Fort Washington, and died of starvation on a prison 
ship in New York harbor. This appears, however, to be merely 
supposition, as he “was never heard from after the surrender 
of Fort Lee.” 

The following letter was written just before the evacuation of 
Boston: 


“ Cambridge, March 14th, 1776. 

Dear Son: After my love to your mother and all my children, 
I wod inform you that your brother 4 and I are both in good health 
as I hope they will find you and all our friends. 

Since our bombarding & canonading Boston our Enemy are in 
greate mosion and tis thought that they are a going off and if so 
it is expected that some of our army will move to the Southard and 
some to the eastward and where our lot will faul I no not. If it is to 
stay here where we draw some money, I shall send Timothy home 
if possible. 

Mr. Heart has bin Hear twice and I have rec’d no letters 
tho he says you are all well yet I should be glad you would 
Wright to me the first opertunity and let me know how you are 
at home. 

1 Massachusetts Archives, 93:138, 139a, 153, 25; 95:152. 

2 Worcester Deeds, 46:174; 47:326; 80:329. See also Proprietors records, Charlestown, in history of 
that town, pp. 124, 125. 

3 Colonel Hutchinson’s Orderly Book. See Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls, p. 111. This accords 
with family tradition. 

His son Timothy, in the same company. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


195 


Rich^ my concerns are grate and my expectations are much from 
you. No more at present but I remain your affectionate Father 

Rich d Holdin 

Dear wife after my Love 
To 

Mr Rich d Holdin junier 
att 

Charlestown.” 


1966 Jonathan {William, Stephen, Richard), born 25 Aug. 
1736, at Groton; died 19 Nov., 1821, at Charlestown, N. H., “aged 
78 ”; 1 married the fifteenth or sixteenth of March, 1758, 1 Hannah 
Woods, who with her husband owned covenant at Groton, 19 July, 
1761. 

Children, born at Groton: 1 

1 Hannah, born 30 Aug., 1759; baptized 19 July, 1761. 

2 Elizabeth, born 2 Nov., 1762; baptized 7 March, 1762. 

3 Lydia, baptized 4 July, 1763. 

Jonathan Holden served six years during the Old French War. 
His name appears on the roll of the company commanded by Captain 
Hobbs in Colonel Winslow’s regiment, dated 28 May, 1755. He is 
described as of Groton, aged 18 years. 2 He again enlisted 15 Sept., 
1755, being then described as a resident of Boston, and having 
enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Moses Deshon. 
He marched to Albany probably on the 26 Sept., and remained in 
the service until 16 Dec. On the return of the muster-master he 
was described as having been impressed out of the militia regiment 
commanded by Colonel Benjamin Lincoln. The following year his 
name appears on a list of those impressed out of the regiment of 
Colonel Oliver Wilder, and as having enlisted 22 April, 1756, for 
Crown Point. On a roll dated at Fort Edward 26 July, he is described 
as & volunteer, having joined from Prescott’s company, Wilder's 
regiment, aged 20, residence Groton, farmer, and in another roll 
his tour of service is given as from 30 March to 4 Dec., 1756. On a 
roll dated 1758 it appears he enlisted that year 26 March and served 
in the expedition against Crown Point. He was out of the militia 
regiment commanded by Colonel William Lawrence, was aged 23, 
lived in Groton, and had been in the service the preceding year. 
He had probably served from 18 March to 28 Nov., 1757, in Captain 
James Reed’s company, Colonel Ruggles’ regiment, the same com¬ 
mand in which he had served in October 1756, when he was at 
Fort William Henry. 3 

1 Town records 2 Green: Groton during the Indian Wars, p. 175. 

3 Archives, 93:235, 248; 94:62, 157; 354, 358; 544; 493; 95:132; 97:112; 202; 98:352; 99:120, 224. 


196 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


He again enlisted 26 March and served until 7 Dec., 1759, in 
company commanded by Captain Leonard Whiting, for Crown 
Point expedition. He was in 1st battallion, General Ruggles’ regi¬ 
ment, and is called of Groton. Also on roll dated 10 May for pay 
from 30 April same company, battalion and regiment. 

Jonathan Holden of Groton enlisted 21 March, 1760, in company 
commanded by Captain William Jones, as appears by a roll dated 
Boston 12 Feb., 1761, and on which said Holden’s residence is given 
as Boston and is reported as doing duty in company commanded 
by Captain Farrington. On another roll dated 19 Feb, 1761, he 
is reported as serving till 2 Dec., 1760, under Captain Thomas 
Farrington. His residence was Groton. Travel allowance home 
105 miles. Also enlisted 2 June, 1761, and served until 5 Dec., 1761, 
under Captain Thomas Farrington. 

Jonathan Holden enlisted 18 March, served until 28 Nov. in 
Captain James Reed’s company, Colonel Ruggles’ regiment. The 
year appended by the clerk who copied this entry is 1762, but possibly 
an error was made. This may be the missing enlistment and discharge 
date for 1756. 1 

On Charlestown records he is styled “Captain.” 

1974 Nathaniel (Simon, Stephen, Richard ), born in that part 
of Cambridge now Arlington, 26 July, 1742; died prior to 1794. He 
married at Salem, 13 Dec., 1764, Margaret Ewin of Salem. 2 Peggy 
Holden of Salem and Josiah Flagg married 17 Aug., 1794, at 
Reading. 

Children: 3 

1 Simon, baptized 4 Sept., 1768. 

2 Nathaniel, baptized 15 Oct., 1769. 

3 Peggy, baptized 14 Feb., 1773. 

Nathaniel Holden marched from Cambridge 16 Aug., 1757, to 
Springfield, 180 miles. He was credited with 14 days service on 
alarm for the relief of Fort William Henry, in company of Captain 
Joshua Fuller, Colonel William Brattle’s regiment. He w r as of 
Cambridge, enlisted 11 April, 1758, discharged 29 Oct., 1758, in 
company of Captain Thomas Adams, Colonel Ebenezer Nichols 
regiment. Daniel Brown is given as the name of his master. 4 

Nathaniel Holden was commissioned August, 1772, as captain 
in 5th regiment, Essex County militia, commanded by Colonel 
John Gallison. 5 

He was a mariner and lived in Salem and Marblehead. 

1 Archives, 92:235, 248; 94:62, 157; 354, 358; 544; 493; 95:132; 97:112; 202; 98:352; 99:120 224. 

2 Salem records, 4:81. 3 Marblehead Vital Records. 

4 Archives, 95:377; 96:254, 314, 423. 5 Ibid., 99:449. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


197 


1976 Charles (Simon, Stephen, Richard ), born 19 June, 1746; 
died 1816, intestate, of W enham, mariner. Administration on his 
estate was granted 2 April, 1823, to J. G. Waters. By a will not 
properly executed, dated 5 Dec., 1812, he bequeathed to Sarah 
Luscomb what was due him from the agent or owners of the privateer 
Hunter. Representation was made that Charles Holden of Wenham, 
yeoman, was his only child. 1 
Child: 

1 “ 1 Charles, died 17 May, 1874; of Wenham; married Mrs. Sarah F. 

Cleaves. 

1981 Robert (Jonathan, Stephen, Richard ), born 5 March, 
1743, at Groton, Mass.; died 22 June, 1826, at Templeton, Mass., 
“aged 82 years” 2 (aged 84) 3 ; married 25 Nov., 1766, at Bolton, 
Mass., Sarah Tille (Tuttle on return to county clerk). 

He married, second, 23 Feb., 1787, at Templeton 2 Mrs. Joanna 
(Bruce) Whitcomb. 

Children : 4 

1 Eli. No further mention has been found. 

2-2 Jonathan, born (May, 1770); died 28 Nov., 1826; aged 56 years, 

6 months; 2 married Lydia Richards; (2) Sarah Crocker. 

3 Deborah, born 11 July, 1773; died 11 April, 1863, at Stephen town, 

N. Y.; married 20 Jan., 1799, at Templeton, Rowland Coleman. 6 

Children : 5 

1. Deborah Coleman, born 30 Jan., 1800; married Halsey Doty. 

2. Rowland Coleman, born 31 Oct., 1804; died 24 Nov., 1873, at 

Nassau, N. Y.; married 24 Aug., 1826, Elvira Sarissa 
Chapman, who died 26 Dec., 1882, at West Stephentown, 
N. Y. 

4 Ann. 

5-5 Robert, born (1776-7); died 21 Nov., 1841, “aged 64”; 2 married 

Millia Blanchard. 

6 Sarah. 

7 Susannah, born 22 March, 1782, at Templeton; 5 died 17 Feb., 1856, 

at Colebrook; married Daniel Larkin; (2) 3 Dec., 1814, Rev. 

Erastus Doty, a Baptist clergyman, born 5 Jan., 1791, at Stephen¬ 
town, died 13 June, 1864, at Colebrook, son of William and Ruth 

(Holmes) Doty. 

Children: 5 

1. Abel Larkin, married Elizabeth Torrey of Williamstown, 
Mass. 

1 Essex probate. _ 2 Town records. 

3 Boston Recorder, issue of £8 July, 1826, contains notice of death of Jonathan Holder, aged 83, a “Revolu¬ 
tionary soldier” and the issue of 18 Aug., that of Robert Holden, aged 84. 

4 F. A. Holden Ms. This list of children is probably correct, though but seven of the fifteen children 
can be traced. In the census of 1790 Robert Holden of Templeton is enumerated as head of a family con¬ 
sisting of himself, another male over sixteen, two males under sixteen, and four females. Mrs. Mary 
(Parker) Coleman, granddaughter of Eber, remembered that he had sisters, and that Stillman and John 
Holden were probably nephews (these were sons of John), who she remembers was called her grandfather’s 
half brother. 

5 Information of Mrs. Edith Coleman and of Mrs. George J. Scobey (1912), who are grandchildren. 


198 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


2. Ira Larkin, married Abigail Bentley. 

3. Erastus Doty. 

4. Selina Doty. 

5. Mary Doty, married -— Padelford. 

8- 8 John, born 1785; died about 1875; married Elizabeth Pratt; (4) 

Sally M. Cotten. 

By second wife: 

9- 9 Havillah, born 18 Dec., 1789; married Nancy Freeman; (2) 

Caroline Voax. 

10 Elytra. 

K-ll Eber, born July, 1788, at Templeton, Mass.; died Feb., 1885; 

married Sally Tyler. 

12 Gilbert. 

13 Cynthia. 

14 Silas. 

15 Solomon. 

Robert Holden enlisted 17 June, 1760, and served until the fol¬ 
lowing fifteenth of December in company of Captain Benjamin Rolfe. 
His residence was given as Bolton, and he was then apprenticed to 
Robert Longley. 1 

After his marriage he settled in Templeton. He was one of the 
Templeton men who responded to the Alarm of 19 April, 1775, 
being a member of the company commanded by Captain Ezekiel 
Knowlton, Sparhawk’s regiment. He enlisted at Cambridge, 25 
April, 1775, in Holman's company, Doolittle's regiment, and served 
the remainder of the year. He again enlisted for three years, was 
mustered in 16 June, 1777, Morse's company, Colonel Rufus Putnam’s 
regiment, and served to 30 June, 1780. He made application for 
pension 20 April, 1818, and again in 1821, then a resident of Temple¬ 
ton and aged 77 years. At that time he had only the lease of a small 
farm, for its improvement, on which was an old dwelling house, was a 
cripple by reason of seven accidents and unable to labor, and had no 
family living with him. The lease gave him an income of about $24. 
The farm was 50 acres. He received a pension from 1818. 2 He gave 
his service in the Massachusetts line as from enlistment 14 April, 
1777, in Captain Jonas Morse's company, Colonel Rufus Putnam’s 
regiment, until the 14 April, 1780. According to the death notice in 
the Boston Recorder of 18 xAug., 1826, he “served during the whole 
revolutionary war in the regiment commanded by Colonel Rufus 
Putnam. ’’ 

As of Bolton, husbandman, he purchased of John Whitcomb of 
Bolton, 18 Sept., 1766, 46 acres in Templeton. 3 Robert Holden 
granted to his son Robert of Templeton 5 April, 1806, all his lands 

1 Archives, 98:247. 

2 Papers in Pension Case. Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls give his service. 

3 Worcester Deeds, 70:302; 163:302. 



FOURTH GENERATION 


199 


there, in consideration of support for self and wife Joan. 1 There 
was no settlement of his estate. 

1991 C olonel Benjamin ( Benjamin , Stephen , Richard ), born 
10 March, 1/28—9, at Dedham; died 24 Nov., 1820, at Princeton, 
aged 92” ( g.s .); married prior to July, 1762, at Dedham, Catherine 
Richards, born 1 Aug., 1733, died 28 July, 1817, at Princeton, 
“aged 84” {g.s.), daughter of Colonel Joseph and Mary (Belcher) 
Richards. She joined in conveying property in Dedham, 1 July 
1762, which had been part of the estate of Thomas Ockington. 
Children, born at Princeton: 2 

1 Lucy, born 29 Nov., 1762; died 26 Nov., 1848; married 11 Dec., 
1808, Captain Addison Richardson of Salem, born 3 July, 
1739, died 25 Sept., 1814, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Richardson) 
Richardson. She was his third wife. 

2-2 Joseph, born 28 Sept., 1764; died 23 Dec., 1798; married Fidelia 
Mirick, who married (2) Joel Holden, her brother-in-law. 

3 Catherine, born 23 April, 1767, baptized 18 June, 1767, at Holden 3 
as of Rutland; married 30 Jan., 1797, at Princeton, Ephraim 
Mirick, who served as selectman and assessor, as did also his son 
Ephraim. The latter was representative in 1823. 

Children: 

1. Ephraim Mirick, born 29 Dec., 1801. 

2. Elizabeth Mirick, born 10 Aug., 1808. 

4- 4 Benjamin, born 19 Nov., 1769; died 8 April, 1832; married Hannah 

Gill. 

5- 5 Joel, born 30 Nov., 1772; married Mrs. Fidelia (Mirick) Holden. 

6 John Hancock, born 23 Feb., 1775; died 15 March, 1778, at Princeton. 

Benjamin Holden served from 1756 to 1761 in the French War. 
His service record is appended. 

Benjamin Holden, mustered at Dedham 3 May, 1756, in Captain 
William Bacon’s company, Colonel Richard Gridley’s regiment. 
Reported as aged 23, born in Dedham, a resident there and a black¬ 
smith, and that he found a blanket for himself and paid for it. He 
was mustered as sergeant 11 Oct., 1756, expedition against Crown 
Point. Also appears on a roll dated 22 Feb., 1759, reported dis¬ 
charged 1 Nov. (1758), having served 7 months, 27 days as sergeant 
in company commanded by Captain Jeremiah Richards, Colonel 
Joseph Williams’ regiment, at Lake George, and that he retained 
his arms. Also on a roll not dated, reported as “hired,” and on list 
of company of Captain William Bacon, Colonel Richard Gridley’s 
regiment, having joined from Captain Jeremiah Richards' company, 
Colonel Francis Brinley’s regiment from Dedham, age given as 27, 
birthplace Dedham, residence Roxbury. Also as enlisted 6 April, 


1 Worcester Deeds, 70:302; 163:302. 
* Holden church records. 


2 Town records. 


200 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


served 51 days to 27 May, 1758, in company of Captain Jeremiah 
Richards, and giving his receipt for £1-14-0 for billeting. Also 
on a roll dated 27 Dec., 1758, as member of company commanded 
by Captain Haven and Captain Jeremiah Richards in Colonel Joseph 
Williams’ regiment, billeting soldiers returning from camp. He 
enlisted 31 March, 1759, and served until 22 April, 1760, at Fort 
Cumberland as lieutenant in company commanded by Captain 
Simon Slocomb, which company he commanded after Captain Slocum 
left until 20 Nov., 1760. His autograph signature appears on the 
latter roll which he made up, charging 15 days time and expenses in 
making up muster roll and one day’s travel from Dedham, also 
for cash paid for passage from Chineoto and caring for company 
after Captain Slocum left, £8-13-11. He also presented an account 
dated 15 Jan., 1760, for 20 days’ time and expenses in making up 
muster roll, £7-14-3. This company was part of regiment com¬ 
manded by Colonel Frye which served in Nova Scotia. 1 

He was commissioned captain of the Princeton company, 3d 
Worcester county regiment (Colonel John Murray), 18 Feb., 1767. 

The Orderly Book kept by Colonel Holden at Fort Cumberland 
in 1906 was in possession of a descendant, Mr. John Holden of 
Worcester, having been given him by the late Henry F. Waters 
of Salem. It is square octavo in the original covers, and numbers 
164 pages, six of which are blank. 2 Besides the pages devoted to 
countersigns, general orders, etc., there is a list of Slocum's company 
as originally enlisted, a roll of January, 1760, and ten pages showing 
strength of garrison, etc. 

The record extends to September, 1760, the company having gone 
into garrison 10 May, 1759. In all, the garrison consisted of about 
360 men, and was commanded by Colonel Frye, 3 who had five com¬ 
panies of provincial troops, and later the “Danks rangers” and 
perhaps a train of Royal Artillery. The most serious trouble which 
occurred during the period this book covers, was a “mutiny,” arising 
from the attempt of some of the men to seize a vessel and return 
to Boston. For “passing the word while on guard so loud as to 
disturb the camp, and for threats ” the ringleader received 500 lashes, 
the next man 250, and others 100 lashes each. Courts-martial were 
frequent and the men passed a very monotonous time, which the 
more reckless devoted to gambling and similar pursuits, though 
hunting and fishing were permitted. 

In the year 1755, the fortified position previously known to the 
French as Beausejour, situated on the isthmus connecting Nova 
Scotia with the mainland, w~as captured by English forces, and 
received the name Fort Cumberland, in honor of the Duke of Cum- 


1 Archives, 94:161, 454; 96:441; 94:334; 96:129, 297; 97:14; 98:41, 211a, 211, 206a, 446; 99:95. 

2 Copies have been made 3 Founder of Fryeburg, Me. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


201 


berland, the brutal victor of Culloden, then popular in the colonies. 
A fort in Maryland was also so named, as were the Cumberland 
Mountains at a later date. From Fort Cumberland in Nova Scotia 
the provincial forces were despatched on the unwelcome errand to 
deport the inhabitants of Grand Pre. 

After its occupation by the English forces, Beausejour, or Fort 
Cumberland, though isolated from the important movements of 
the campaigns against Louisburg and Quebec, had some importance 
as a point of vantage from which the English could exercise control 
over the disaffected Acadians, and guard to some extent against 
Jesuit intrigues with the Indians. It served as a point from which 
information of the condition of the country could be transmitted 
to Halifax. In Parkman’s “Montcalm and Wolfe” II, 181, there 
is a passage setting forth the conditions of life in winter at this 
frontier post, and describing the arrival of the troops under the 
command of Colonel Frye. 

“Captain John Knox of the 43d regiment had spent the winter 
in garrison at Fort Cumberland, on the hill of Beausejour. For 
nearly two years he and his comrades had been exiles among the 
wilds of Nova Scotia, and the monotonous inaction was becoming 
insupportable. The great marsh of Tantemar on the one side, and 
that of Missaguash on the other, two vast tracts of glaring snow, 
bounded by dark hills of spruce and fir, were hateful to their sight. 
Shooting, fishing or skating was a dangerous relief, for the neighbor¬ 
hood was infested by “vermin,” as they called the Acadians and 
their Micmac allies. In January four soldiers and a ranger were 
waylaid not far from the fort, disabled by bullets and then scalped 
alive. They were found the next morning in the snow, contorted 
in the agonies of death, and frozen like marble statues. St. Patrick’s 
Day brought more cheerful excitements. The Irish officers of the 
garrison gave their companions a feast, having laid in during the 
autumn a stock of frozen provisions, that the festival of their saint 
might be duly honored. All was hilarity at Fort Cumberland, where 
it is reported that punch to the value of twelve pounds sterling, with 
a corresponding supply of wine and beer, was consumed on this 
joyous occasion. 

About the middle of April a schooner came up the bay, bringing 
letters that filled men and officers with delight. The regiment was 
ordered to hold itself ready to embark for Louisburg and join an 
expedition to the St. Lawrence, under the command of Major-General 
Wolfe. All that afternoon the soldiers were shouting and cheering 
in their barracks; and when they mustered at the evening roll-call 
there was another burst of huzzas. They waited in expectancy 
nearly three weeks, and then the transports which were to carry 
them arrived, bringing the provincials who had been hastily raised 


202 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


in New England to take their place. These Knox describes as a 
mean-looking set of fellows, of all ages and sizes, and without any 
kind of discipline; adding that their officers are sober, modest men, 
who though of confined ideas, talk very clearly and sensibly, and 
made a decent appearance in blue faced with scarlet, though the 
privates have no uniform at all. 

At last the 43d set sail, the cannon of the fort saluting them, and 
the soldiers cheering lustily, overjoyed to escape from their long 
imprisonment.” 

In 1762 Benjamin Holden sold his lands in Dedham 1 and removed 
to Princeton, having purchased 86 acres there, in the western part 
of the town, in the form of an L, on which there were buildings. 
The deed was dated 18 June. 2 He was commissioned captain of the 
Princeton company, 3d Worcester regiment, Colonel John Murray, 
18 Feb., 1767. 3 He was named in March, 1774, one of seven members 
of a committee of correspondence for the town, to communicate with 
similar committees in other towns, to give the earliest intelligence 
which might be discovered concerning acts against the rights of the 
people. He had previously been selectman, 1764, 1769, 1773, and 
after his return from the army was again selectman, 1781, 1782, 
1790, 1791. In 1773 he was assessor of taxes. 

In October, 1774, he was chosen a delegate to the Provincial 
Congress. 

He responded to the Lexington Alarm, and served five days, 
following with an enlistment 24 April, retaining his rank as lieutenant- 
colonel, which he held in Doolittle’s regiment of militia. 4 

He was in command, as lieutenant-colonel, of his regiment at 
Bunker Hill, and later proceeded to New York. His command 
was detached by Washington, 14 Nov., 1776, to reenforce Fort 
Washington, where he was wounded and taken prisoner, and held 
by the British from 16 Nov., 1776 to 28 May, 1778. 5 

His name appears on the rolls of Hutchinson's regiment 1 Jan., 
1777 to 25 May, 1778, being in August, 1777, reported as prisoner 
on Long Island. The preceding June his petition, with fifteen other 
officers, addressed to the General Court, was considered in Council. 
They represented themselves as “now prisoners on parole, on Long 
Island, urged by pressing necessity, not having received supplies 
from the Continental Congress, to ask Massachusetts for supplies 
to enable them to support the character of officers and gentlemen.” 
Colonel Hutchinson addressed a similar petition to the General 
Court in their behalf in August. 6 


1 Suffolk Deeds, 96:170; 98:203; 104:156. 2 Worcester Deeds, 55:241. 

3 Council records. 

4 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

5 Certificate of Francis Dewitt, Secretary of State for Massachusetts, 28 Feb., 1856. 

« Archives, 214:91; 248:318, 319. 


FOURTH GENERATION 203 

His depreciation pay was settled by a special act of the General 
Court, 6 Feb., 1783. 

Colonel Holden s sword, uniform coat and commission remain in 
possession of descendants. 

The dwelling house, erected by Colonel Holden when he settled 
in Princeton, was torn down in 1900. It was removed from its original 
site about 1860, and used as a carriage shed. It was a story and a 
half, of good dimensions, and well finished, a typical house of that 
period. A cellar extended under the whole house. The studs were 
about eight feet. The attic under the roof was divided into two 
rooms. The rafters holding the roof were about three feet apart 
and the boarding ran crosswise. The windows had twenty-four 
lights, each about seven by nine inches. The posts all showed in 
the rooms, but had no flare at top. The big chimney in the 
center of the house afforded a fireplace which would admit a four- 
foot log as big round as a flour barrel. The parlor and kitchen, 
at opposite corners, each had a large fireplace, and in the kitchen 
was one of the old-fashioned deep ovens. Mr. Holden said that in 
olden times in one corner of the kitchen was a bed, and in the living 
room off the kitchen, at the right of the entry way, was also a bed. 
The corresponding corner, back of the parlor, was a bedroom. There 
was no lathing and plaster in the kitchen, elsewhere chestnut lathes. 
The stairs to the attic and to the cellar were in the large kitchen, 
and at the end of the entry way, against the chimnejq was a closet. 
There were three outside doors, made of wide boards, and each with 
latch and string. Wainscotting about three and one-half feet wide 
extended about every room. The house was nearly square, and had 
a smaller one story wing, with no floor under the roof, into which 
ox sleds were driven, and on occasion the oxen shoed. At times an 
ox would be driven into the kitchen. 

The floor joists were logs squared on the sides, and the cellar stairs 
were blocks of wood, resting on stringers made of squared logs. 
It was a large roomy house, suited to the times . 1 

2172 Captain Samuel ( William , Samuel , Justinian ), born 26 
Nov., 1737, at Bridgewater; died 27 April, 1808, at Dorchester; 
married 27 Dec., 1759, 2 Hannah Ivelton, born 18 Sept., 1738, 2 
died 26 March, 1829, 2 daughter of Edward and Mary (Paul) Kelton. 

Children, born at Dorchester: 2 

1 Mary, born 11 Sept., 1760; died 25 Aug., 1833; married 21 Aug., 
1780, 2 Enoch Fenno of Milton, born 23 March, 1755, died 19 
Sept., 1796, son of Isaac and Maria (Davenport) Fenno. 2 He 
served in the army during the Revolution. 

1 Statement of John Holden, 1906. Mr. Henry F. Waters well remembered this old house with the 

antique arrangements and furnishings, where in his youth he frequently visited. 

2 Dorchester records. The baptisms of this branch of the family appear in N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg. 
vols. 68, 69. Dates from gravestones are from report, 1904, Boston Cemetery Department. 


204 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children, born at Dorchester: 1 

1. Jeremiah Fenno, born 14 Feb., 1783. 

2. Maria Fenno, born 20 March, 1785. 

3. Lucy Fenno, born 1 Sept., 1789. 

4. Andrew Fenno, born 11 March, 1791. 

5. Jarvis Fenno, born March, 1794. 

6. Enoch Fenno, born 23 Dec., 1796. 

7. Spencer Fenno. 

2 Hannah, born 12 Feb., 1763; died 18 Dec., 1832; married 5 April, 

1781. 1 John Mellish, born 12 Dec., 1758, died 24 June, 1824. 
son of Samuel and Sarah (Stetson) Mellish. 2 

Children, born at Dorchester: 2 

1. Hannah Mellish, born 16 Aug., 1781; married 15 March, 1807, 

Samuel B. Lyon. 

2. Eunice Mellish, born 1 April, 1783. 

3. Phineas Mellish, born 26 Jan., 1785. 

4. Nancy Mellish, born 5 Jan., 1787. 

5. Lydia Mellish, born 11 May, 1789. 

6. Polly Mellish, born 9 Sept., 1791. 

7. Elizabeth Mellish, born 21 Sept., 1793. 

8. Lydia Mellish, born 5 May, 1795. 

9. Hester Mellish, born 18 Feb., 1797. 

10. John Mellish, born 4 Feb., 1801; died 4 Sept., 1875, at Auburn, 
Mass.; married 16 Oct., 1823, Cyrene Smith, born 16 Oct., 
1800, at Walpole, died 29 Dec., 1867, at Auburn, daughter 
of Peter and Nellie (Parmenter) Smith. He was known as 
“Esquire”. Among his sons were Rev. John Hyrcanus 
Mellish and David Batcheller Mellish, M. C. for New York 
City in 1873. 

3-3 Samuel, born 10 April, 1765; died 12 July, 1826; married Ruth 
Daniels. 

4 Justinian, born 19 July, 1767; died 5 (15, g.s. 3 ), Oct., 1801, of yellow 
fever, at Norfolk, Va.; married Susannah Butts, who died 13 
April, 1841, aged 72 years (g.s.). He was one of the executors 
of the will of his uncle Phineas Holden of Norwich, and inherited 
several pieces of family silver. 

5-5 Edward, born 30 Aug., 1769; died 16 Nov., 1823; married Anna 
Payson. 

6 Zeruiah, born 20 May, 1772; died 12 Sept., 1816j 1 married 1 Nov., 

1791. 1 Ephraim Davenport, born 24 Aug., 1767, 1 died July, 
1842, son of Isaac and Mary Davenport. He married, second, 
Mrs. Susannah L. (Tolman) Holden (21734). 

Children, born at Dorchester: 1 

1. Oliver Davenport, born 29 Nov., 1794. 

2. Asa Davenport, born Dec., 1796. 

3. Jesse Davenport, born Aug., 1801; died 22 Dec., 1812. 

1 Dorchester records. The baptisms of this branch of the family appear in N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg. 
vols. 68, 69. Dates from gravestones are from report, 1904, Boston Cemetery Department. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms., quoting Glover Memorial ana Hastings Memorial. 

3 Dr. Phinehas Holden noted in his record “1801. We heard of Justinian’s death October 27. Justinian 
died the fifteenth.” See N, E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., v. 49. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


205 


4. Harriet Davenport, born Nov., 1803. 

5. Ambrose Davenport, born Feb., 1806. 

6. Zeruiah Davenport, born Oct., 1808. 

7 Susannah, born 11 Sept., 1774; died 1 Sept., 1849 J married 30 

April, 1798, Joshua Glover, born 11 March, 1771, at Milton; 

died 29 March, 1813, killed in action, 2 son of Joshua and Elizabeth 

(Swift) Glover. 2 

Children, born at Dorchester: 2 

1. Nancy Holden Glover, born 5 Sept., 1798; died 24 Aug., 1863; 

married 1 Oct., 1829, Elijah Marble Greenwood. 

2. Elizabeth Swift Glover, born 8 Aug., 1801; died 1865. 

3. Susannah Holden Glover, born 18 Jan., 1804; married 8 Jan., 

1826, Horatio Wood of Boston. 

4. Hannah Glover, born 7 March, 1807. 

8-8 William, born 1 Dec., 1777; died Oct., 1827; married Jane Crosby. 

9 Elizabeth, born 28 Jan., 1782; married 6 (5) Oct., 1800, Deacon 

Joseph Arnold of Dorchester. 2 

Children : 2 

1. Elizabeth Arnold, born 1801. 

2. Mary Arnold, born 27 Aug., 1803. 

3. James Arnold, born 21 June, 1805. 

4. Jane Arnold, born 11 June, 1807; married John L. Meader. 

5. Joseph Arnold, born 26 March, 1809; married 4 April, 1833, 

Mary Ann Hastings, born 1 April, 1812, daughter of 

Jonathan and Nancy Hastings. Lived at West Roxbury. 

10 Lucy, born 30 July, 1784; married 6 Sept., 1804, Josiah Cushing 

of Boston, formerly of Hingham. 

The census of 1790 enumerated Samuel Holden as head of a family 
consisting of self, another male over sixteen, one male under sixteen, 
and four females. 

Samuel Holden enlisted 4 March, 1776, in a company commanded 
by Captain Lemuel Clap, Colonel Gill's regiment; discharged 8 
March, 1776; the purpose of the enlistment being to participate in 
the occupation of Dorchester Heights. He also served in the same 
company, which was the first Dorchester company, from 14 March 
to 26 March, 1776, covering the period of the evacuation of Boston 
by the British. There is a record of men detached from Colonel Gill’s 
regiment for service under Captain Armstrong in an expedition to 
Rhode Island, year not given. Among the names of the privates is 
that of Samuel Holden. Warrant allowed in Council, August, 1782, 3 
for 27 days service. If this record pertains to Captain Samuel Holden, 
the time was probably prior to June, 1780, but it may relate to his 
son Samuel. 

Early in the summer of 1780 reinforcements for the Continental 

1 Dorchester records. The baptisms of this branch of the family appear in N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg. 
vols. 68, 69. Dates from gravestones are from report, 1904, Boston Cemetery Department. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms. quoting Glover Memorial and Hastings Memorial. 

3 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 


206 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Army for three months were called for, and Samuel Holden com¬ 
manded a company in Colonel Thayer’s Suffolk regiment, which 
engaged 28 June, 1780, and served until discharged 10 Oct., 1780, 
at West Point and elsewhere. 1 If this record pertains to Samuel 
Holden claimed £1-14-4 damages by American troops at Dorchester, 
1776. 

% 

2173 William ( William , Samuel , Justinian) , born 30 Oct., 1739 » 
at Bridgewater; died 17 Dec. (14, g.s.), 1819, 2 at Dorchester; married 
27 Dec., 1764, Susannah Humphreys, born 1 Dec., 1742, died 
15 Oct., 1815, “aged 74,” daughter of John and Ruth Humphrey. 2 

Children, born at Dorchester: 3 

1 Susanna, born 25 Sept., 1765; died 25 Dec., 1765 (g.s.). 

2 Ruth, born 12 June, 1768; married 13 Nov., 1794, 2 Benjamin 

Dolbear Tolman, born 25 June, 1770; died 27 Aug., 1752, son 

of Elijah and Experience Tolman. 

Children : 2 

1. Elijah Tolman, born 21 June, 1796; married Eliza Mary Hunt , 

who died 11 April, 1836, aged 42. 

2. Susanna Tolman, born 11 April, 1798; married 29 Aug., 1824, 

William R. Simpson of Belfast, Me. 

3. Benjamin Tolman, born 8 Feb., 1801. 

4. William Holden Tolman, born 12 Sept., 1802; died 14 Oct., 

1803. 

5. Mary Tolman, born 1804. 

6. William Holden Tolman, born Sept., 1806. 

3 Lydia, born 2 Feb., 1771; died 5 March, 1839; 2 married 31 Jan., 1790, 

Elisha Turner, died 2 June, 1825. 

Children : 2 

1. Son, born 28 June, 1791. 

2. Lydia Turner, born 24 July, 1792; d. y. 

3. David Turner, twin with Lydia; d. y. 

4. Mason Turner, born 13 Jan., 1794; d. y. 

5. Lydia Turner, born 25 June, 1795. 

6. Mason Turner, born 4 March, 1799. 

7. Lucy Turner, born 2 Sept., 1803. 4 

8. Ann Turner, born Nov., 1805. 4 

4-4 Stephen, born 25 Sept., 1778; died 14 Sept., 1810 (g.s.); married 

Susannah L. Tolman, sister of Benjamin D. Tolman above. 

5 Nathaniel, born 5 Oct., 1781; died 9 Aug., 1805. 2 

The names of William Holden, Senior and Junior, appear on the 
Alarm List of the 1st Independent Company in Dorchester, Captain 
Estes Hatch, 15 March, 1758. 

% 

1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

2 Dorchester records. The baptisms of this branch of the family appear in N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg. 
vols. 68, 69. Dates from gravestones are from report, 1904, Boston Cemetery Department. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms. 

4 Dr. Phineas Holden’s account book. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


207 


The following service record probably appertains to this man: 

William Holden of Wrentham enlisted 30 March, 1759, in regiment 
of Colonel Samuel Miller, raised for the invasion of Canada under 
Amherst, aged 18; master, Samuel Scott; served until 13 May, 1760, 
at St. Johns, in company of Captain Moses Curtis in Colonel Frye's 
regiment at Nova Scotia. Enlisted 20 May, mustered 24 May, and 
served until 27 Nov., 1760, in company commanded by Captain 
Ebenezer Cox Miller’s regiment; age 20, born in Walpole, master, 
Samuel Scott . 1 

He was commissioned adjutant, October, 1767, in the 4th Suffolk 
regiment of militia, Colonel Nathaniel Hatch. 2 He responded to the 
Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, with the company of Captain 
Ebenezer Withington, and served nine days. He enlisted 4 March, 
1776, in Captain Lemuel Clapp’s company, Colonel Gill’s regiment, 
and took part in the occupation of Dorchester Heights. He was 
released the 8 March, but volunteered again on the 14 March, was 
appointed adjutant in the same regiment, and was discharged 26 
March, 1776. 3 


2175 Phineas ( William , Samuel , Justinian ), born 31 Jan., 
1743-4, at Dorchester; died 27 Nov., 1818; 4 married 30 Sept., 1766, 
at Dorchester, Thankful Baker, born 7 Oct., 1744, died 15 April, 
1819, 4 daughter of John and Sarah (Wiswall) Baker, cousin of the 
wife of Jonathan Holden. 5 

Children, born at Dorchester: 6 

1 Lois, born 10 Jan., 1767; died 1 Oct., 1856; married 5 May, 1799, 

Benjamin White of Boston, formerly of Mansfield, died 24 March, 
1829, aged 62, 4 son of Ebenezer White of Norton. 

Children : 6 

1. Child, born 19 Dec., 1801. 

2. Child, born 19 Jan., 1805. 

2 Patty, born 28 Nov., 1776; died 5 April, 1864; married 1 May, 1796, 

Samuel Glover, born 29 March, 1770; died 13 Dec., 1837, at 
South Boston, son of Enoch and Susannah (Bird) Glover; (2) 8 Aug., 
1838, Ezekiel Holden (21764); (3) Deacon Ebenezer Clapp 
of Dorchester, who died 6 March, 1860, in his eighty-ninth year. 
In early life she was known as the “Dorchester beauty,” and 
retained her charming bearing through life. 

Children: 

1. Martha Holden Glover, born 11 Aug., 1797; died 12 Feb., 1855, 

at Cincinnati, Ohio; married 12 Sept., 1824, Samuel Davis, 
Jr. 

2. Daughter, twin with Martha, died 18 Aug., 1797. 


1 Archives, 97:149; 98:132b, 156, 285, 455. „ 

2 Jfrjd 99 ;70. 3 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

«Interments in tomb of Dr. P. Holden, fourth report Cemetery Department. 

# N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., 43:284. 

e Record of Phineas Holden. 


208 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


3. Pliineas Holden Glover, born 16 Oct., 1807; married 31 March, 
1833, Mary Carlton of Portland. Lived at Calais, Me. 

3 Betsey, born 7 Nov., 1778; died prior to 1808; married 12 May, 
1805, 1 Sewell White of Boston, formerly of Mansfield, son of 
Ebenezer White. 

Child: 1 

1. Child, born 18 Sept., 1805. 

There is in existence a manuscript volume containing records of 
Justice Courts held by William Holden, Esquire, 1767—1774; and 
used by his son Phineas to note his professional visits, 1798-1811, 
and from 1793 to 1813, many vital statistics concerning his own 
family and friends and patients. 2 

In 1790 Doctor Phineas Holden was head of a family consisting 
of self and five females. 

Doctor Holden was a successful practitioner in Dorchester and 
vicinity. In October, 1775, he served as surgeon in the regiment 
commanded by Colonel Timothy Walker, and in 1778 had charge 
of the hospital established for the inoculation of smallpox. He was 
awarded £8-10-0 damages done by American troops in 1776. The 
town voted him the liberty of establishing a hospital at Dorchester 
Neck (South Boston) 2 Nov., 1792. 

2176 Jonathan ( William , Samuel, Justinian ), of Dorchester, 
born there 21 Dec., 1745; died about 1790, at Montreal, [“Pie left 
Dorchester late in life in search of better prospects, and died on the 
journey; he never was heard from in a reliable way.”] 3 ; married 
14 July, 1768, Mary Ann Baker, born 17 March, 1750, died 23 
Sept., 1792, of the smallpox, daughter of James and Priscilla (Paul) 
Baker 4 of Dorchester. The census of 1790 enumerated his widow as 
head of a family of three females. She married, second, 23 Feb., 
1792, John Pierce, (his third wife). 4 

Jonathan Holden was a farmer. He served in the company com¬ 
manded by Captain Ebenezer Withington, mustered 19 April, 1775, 
and credited with six days service. Also from 14 to 26 March, 1776, 
in Captain Clap’s company in Gill's regiment. He was in the service 
at a later date, although the State Archives do not mention his 
enlistment, for Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Pierce wrote from Morris¬ 
town, N. J., under date of 10 March, 1777, “Jonathan Holden of 
Dorchester has the measles but is like to do well.” 5 In 1784 he w r ent 
to Montreal, but returned. 

Children: 

1-1 James, born 1 Sept., 1768; died 25 Oct., 1849; married Abigail Dix. 

1 Record of Pliineas Holden. 2 N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., 49:153. 

3 Letter of D. L. Holden, a grandson, dated 5 June, 1877. 

4 F. A. Holden Ms. See N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., 43:284. 

6 History of Dorchester, p. 347. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


209 


2-2 John, born 3 Xov., 1770; died 13 May, 1857; married Sarah Clap; 
(2) Rhoda Sumner. 

3 Mary Ann, born 5 Feb., 1773; died 26 June, 1833; married 4 Dec., 
1788, George Howe of Dorchester; born 6 July 1769, died 16 
Aug., 1828, daughter of Honorable John and Rachel (Glover) 
Howe. 

Child: 

1. Abigail Glover Howe, born 19 March, 1790; married 23 Aug., 
1812, Thomas Yose of Boston. 1 

4-4 Ezeeiel, born 11 March, 1775; died 20 Feb., 1847; married Sarah 
Le Cain; (2) Mrs. Patty (Holden) Glover, (2175-2). 

5 Priscilla, born 22 March, 1777; died 23 Jan., 1822; married 6 Xov., 

1803, Deacon John Clapp of Roxburv, born 11 Sept., 1764, at 
Dorchester, died 23 Sept., 1S40, at Roxburv, son of X'oah Clapp. 
Children : 2 

1. Lucy Clapp, born 19 July, 1804; married Otis Withington. 

2. Edward Clapp, born 18 May, 1807; drowned 28 July, 1826, at 

Thompson's Island. 

3. John Clapp, born 25 Sept., 1809; drowned 2S July, 1826. 

4. James B. Clapp, born 20 Sept., 1812. 

5. Jane Clapp, born 27 April, 1816; died 11 Feb., 1S53; 3 married 

Moses Withington, brother of Otis above. 

6 Susanna, born 18 March, 1779; married 19 March, 1815, Samuel 

Clapp, born 20 Sept., 1771; died 21 Aug., 1834, son of Samuel and 
Elizabeth (Foster) Clapp. 2 
Children : 2 

1. Susannah B. Clapp, born 16 June, 1816; died 12 Sept., 1817. 

2. Susannah B. Clapp, born 8 Sept., 1817; married William 

Gordon. 

3. Samuel Adams Clapp, born 29 Aug., 1819; married Mercy 

Nickerson. 

4. Caroline Clapp, born 5 May, 1821; married Charles 

Woodward; (2) Charles Leeds. 

5. Timothy Clapp, born 24 Sept., 1822; married - Nickerson, 

and removed to Stoughton. 

7 Lucy, born 18 June, 1781; died 25 Oct., 1831; married 11 April, 1812, 

Major Samuel Payson, born 27 Sept., 1767; died 20 Aug., 1S47, 
son of Samuel and Ann (Robinson) Payson of Dorchester. This 
was his third marriage. He bought the homestead of Jonathan 
and Dr. Phineas Holden, built for them by their father. In 1863 
Mrs. Patty (Holden) Clapp (2175-2) was living in this house.- 
Children : 2 

1. Samuel Trescott Payson, born 22 Oct., 1816; married 3 Oct., 

1839, Lucinda Thayer; (2) Feb., 1856, Sarah Smith 
Philbrick. 

2. John Baker Payson, born 1818. Of Dorchester. 

3. Thomas Payson, born 13 March, 1822; died 28 July, 1877, in 


1 Glover Genealogy. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms. See Clapp Memorial 


"R. W. Holden Ms. 



210 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Florida; married 13 May, 1852, Melinda P. Blake. Lived 
in Dorchester. 

4. Henry Payson, born 22 April, 1824; died 20 Nov., 1859, at 
Dorchester; married 3 July, 1849, Margaret Ann 
Richardson. 

8 Hannah, born 6 June, 1783; married 27 Oct., 1820, Samuel Topliff 
of Dorchester, H. C. 1795, who died 1845. 

2212 John (Jo/m, John , Justinian ), born 28 Jan., 1731-2, at 
Concord; died October, 1785, at Eastbury, Conn., “aged 73”; 
married Susanna Ellsworth. 

Children: 

1 Amos, born 1763 at Glastonbury. His name appears on the “size 
roll” of Captain Rogers’ company, 3d Conn, regiment, a native 
and resident of Glastonbury, enlisted for Bolton, aged 20 years, 
dark complexion, gray eyes, light hair; enlisted 15 June, 1782. 
He was in the service in Feb., 1784. 1 

4 April, 1818. Amos Holden of Glastonbury declared that he served 
on the Continental establishment, Connecticut line, about eighteen months. 
He entered the service 7 July, 1782, 2 for three years, and faithfully served 
until after the peace in December, 1783, when he was honorably discharged 
at West Point. He belonged to Captain Dorrance’s company and Colonel 
Samuel B. Webb’s regiment, before the peace, and afterwards he belonged 
to Captain Wells’ company in the same regiment. 

28 December, 1820, personally appeared Amos Holden, aged 08 years, 
resident in Salisbury. He enlisted at Glastonbury, for eight months, about 
the commencement of 1780, in company commanded by Captain Dorrance 
and in regiment commanded by Colonel Sherman; in July 1780, according 
to his best recollection, before his first period of service had expired, he 
again enlisted as a private under the late Baron Steuben at the Highlands, 
for the term of three years and was placed in a company of infantry com¬ 
manded by Colonel Samuel Webb, in the Connecticut line; he continued in 
said Webb’s regiment, and was honorably discharged at West Point. On 
the fourth day of April, 1818, he made an application for and received a 
pension certificate (14,619) dated 11 Sept., 1819. 

And further declares that from age and infirmities he can do but 
very little labour, and has no wife or children or family, and no estate of 
any description excepting his clothing, is wholly dependent on his labour 
as a farmer for support, and has no trade or profession. 

1 Sept., 1825. Simeon Sage, 3 brother-in-law of Amos Holden, in 1802 
gave a bond to indemnify the town of Salisbury from all expences that 
might accrue to them from Holden. He was induced to give said bond to 
prevent the removal of Holden from Salisbury; he did not receive anything 
as a consideration. Holden is now poor and has not had any property 
since he had known him, which is more than thirty years. He never received 
any property from his father, who was a poor man. He has been of rather 
weak intellect and incapable of taking care of himself. 

Salisbury, 30 Jan., 1827. Amos Holden of Sheffield, Mass., formerly 
of company commanded by Captains Wells and Darran in regiments 
commanded by Colonels Webb and Sherman, says that his name was 
placed on the Pension Roll of the State of Connecticut, from whence he 
lately removed to Massachusetts, where he intends to remain, and wishes 

1 Conn. Hist. Soc. Col. 8:94, 103, 131. 

2 He enlisted 7 April, 1782, in the 1st Connecticut regiment. 

3 Simeon Sage married a sister of Amos Holden. Letter of Honorable Samuel Church of Salisbury to 
Honorable John Calhoun, Secretary of War. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


211 


his pension to be payable; his reasons for removing to Massachusetts are 
to live with his brother-in-law, Simeon Saxe (sic), to be supported and 
protected by him, who lives in Sheffield. 

In 1818 Amos Holden was on the pension roll, as having served 
in the Massachusetts line, nine months or more, and living in 
Connecticut. 

2 John, baptized 27 May, 1769, at Eastbury; 1 married 18 May, 1794, 

at Eastbury, Sarah Welden, baptized 7 Feb., 1773, at Eastbury, 
daughter of Peleg Welden. 

Child: 

1. Child, died 20 Nov., 1794, aged four hours. 

3 Judah, married in autumn of 1784, at Eastbury, Isaac Loveland. 

Did she or an unrecorded sister marry Simeon Sage? 

4 Simeon, “son of John and Susanna,” died 29 Sept., 1779, at Eastbury. 

John Holden enlisted 15 April, 1755, and served until the 8 October 
following, as drummer in company and regiment commanded by 
Colonel Elizur Goodrich. While in the service his estate appears 
to have been attached for debt, May, 1755, and to satisfy the judg¬ 
ment he gave as security a deed to his house and shop and an acre 
of land, but in May, 1756 was obliged to obtain authority from the 
General Assembly to force the return of his security upon payment 
of the debt. Fie also served sixteen days in a troop of horse com¬ 
manded by Captain Elizur Talcott of Glastonbury, which marched 
in August, 1757, on the alarm to reenforce the army at Fort Edward. 
He also served from 7 May to 31 Oct., 1758, in company commanded 
by Captain Samuel Gaylord of Middletown, and again in the same 
command the following year. 2 He was that year styled John Holden, 
junior, of Glastonbury. In October, 1762, he petitioned the General 
xAssembly for wages due him for his service, which petition was 
granted. 

He enlisted 8 May, 1777, for eight months, in 3d regiment 
Connecticut line; was discharged the 1 Jan., 1778; and reenlisted 
the 3 March, for three years. On the 1 April, 1781, he was transferred 
to the Invalid Corps, commanded by Colonel Lewis Nicola, and 
served until discharged 23 April, 1783. 3 

John Holden was living in Glastonbury in 1756 and in 1762. 4 
In 1758 both John Holden and John Holden, Jr., are named as 
proprietors. There may have been other children than those listed 
above as in 1790 John Holden was enumerated at Glastonbury, 
head of family consisting of self, two other males over sixteen, and 
one female. Probably the son, although unmarried, is intended, 
and with whom doubtless his mother was living. 

1 Eastbury Society in Glastonbury was incorporated 1731, but the records prior to 1768 are lost. Later 
records are printed in N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., vol. 60 et seq. 

2 Conn. Hist. Soc. Col., 9:22, 229; 12:114. 

3 Connecticut in the Revolution. 

4 Colonial Records of Connecticut, 10:509; 12:114, in each case described as John Holden, Jr. 


212 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


2214 Jonathan (John, John , Justinian ), born 6 Oct., 1734, at 
Concord; died 4 June, 1794, at Eastbury, Conn., aged 56 years, 1 
married 25 Nov., 1762, Rachel Hollister, born 1738, 1 (?1734), 
died 6 Nov., 1811, aged 77 (described as the “widow Holden,” 
daughter of Gideon and Rachel (Talcott) Hollister. 1 

Children, born at Glastonbury, baptized at Eastbury parish : 2 

1 Roger, 1763. 1 

2 Jonathan, born 1766married 16 Aug., 1787, at Eastbury, Lydia 

Chapel, probably daughter of Noah and Lydia Chapel. In 1790 
enumerated at Glastonbury as head of a family consisting of self 
and three females. 

3 Rachel, born 1768 married 21 Feb., 1790, at Eastbury, William 

Hollister, born 6 Jan., 1763, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Treat) 
Hollister. 1 He was a tanner, and lived at Middle Granville, and 
later at Connewango, N. Y. 

Children : x 

1. William Hollister. 

2. Ann Hollister. 

3. Sarah Hollister. 

4. Emma Hollister. 

5. Melissa Hollister. 

4 Samuel, baptized 24 Feb., 1771. 

5 Daughter, died Feb., 1775. 

6 Gideon, born 1773; died 1775. Perhaps there is an error reporting 

a daughter died in 1775. 

7 Josiah, baptized 22 April, 1776. 

8 David, baptized 27 June, 1779. 

9 Rebeccah, baptized 4 May, 1782. 

10 Elizabeth, baptized 11 Sept., 1785. 

K-ll Silas, baptized 29 July, 1789; married Sarah Hosmer. 

Jonathan Holden accompanied his father and brother to Glaston¬ 
bury. He enlisted in a troop of horse commanded by Captain 
Talcott, and marched in August, 1757, to reenforce the army at 
Fort Edward, but served only sixteen days. He again enlisted 
24 May, 1759, and served until 15 December, in company commanded 
by Captain Sheldon, and was sergeant in Captain David Hubbard’s 
company, Lyman’s regiment, 24 March to 25 Nov., 1760. 3 He and 
his wife Rachel joined the church at Eastbury, 14 Oct., 1781. In 
1790 he was enumerated at Glastonbury as head of a family consisting 
of self, two males under sixteen and two females. 

2225 Daniel ( Daniel , John , Justinian ), born 22 May, 1732, at 
Concord; died 21 Jan., 1803, at Concord, 4 his gravestone adds “aged 

1 Hollister Genealogy, pp. 88, 105. The widow of Jonathan Holden is there said to have married- 

Holmes. 

2 Records of Eastbury Society in Glastonbury (incorporated 1731) lost prior to 1768, after which the 

are printed in N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., 60, et seq. 3 Conn. Hist. Soc. Col., 9, 12. 

4 Concord records. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


213 


71”; married 14 Dec., 1769, at Concord , 1 Millicent Hosmer, 
born 16 May, 1744, 1 died 15 Oct., 1821, aet. 77 ( g.s .), daughter of 
Stephen and Millicent Hosmer. 

Children, born at Concord : 1 

1 Stephen, bora 20 March, 1771; married 9 Nov., 1797, Patty Miles. 1 

2 Daniel, born 17 Aug., 1773. 

3 Milly, bora 1774; died 26 Feb., 1860, aged 86, unmarried. 

4-4 Tilly, born 1784; died 7 March, 1860; married Mary Potter; (2) 
Susan (Eustis?). 

Daniel Holden, enlisted 11 June (1755), served until 28 Oct. 
(1755), as sergeant in company commanded by Captain Solomon 
Keyes in the Crown Point expedition. (See under Aaron Holden.) 
His name also appears on alarm list of men in Major John Minot’s 
company of Concord, 12 April, 1757. 2 

Daniel Holden, Jr., was a member of a troop of horse commanded 
by Captain Charles Prescott. Roll dated 23 April, 1757. 2 He was 
enumerated at Concord in 1790, head of a family consisting of self, 
two other males over sixteen, three under sixteen, and three females. 

Daniel Holden, Jr., purchased 4 June, 1771, of Daniel Holden, 
his father, “for £120 lawful money paid by my son, one-half the 
lands hereafter described, the other half I formerly [9 Feb., 1762] 
conveyed to said Daniel Holden by a deed of gift with the buildings 
thereon standing, all being in the southerly part of Concord, viz.: 
my house lot forty acres bounded westerly on a town way, northerly 
on land of Stephen Hosmer and Stephen Hosmer, Jr., easterly on 

Ebenezer Jones, southerly on - Jones, with the whole of my 

recent dwelling house and half of the barn, also half of six acres in 
Fairhaven meadow, bounded northerly on Ensign Charles Miles, 
westerly on Abel Miles, easterly on Concord River .” 3 

2227 Samuel ( Daniel, John , Justinian ), born 16 Dec., 1740 4 
(16 Nov., 1739 5 ), at Concord; died 18 March, 1820 (g.s.), at New 
Ipswich , 4 N. H.; married 21 July, 1768, 4 at Concord , 5 Sarah Hosmer, 
born 21 Sept., 1743 5 (23 Sept., 1744 4 ), at Concord, died 31 Dec., 
1814 (g.s.), at New Ipswich, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth 
Hosmer . 5 

Samuel Holden was a carpenter and farmer. In 1763 he removed 
to New Ipswich. Four years later he united with others to build 
a temporary meeting house. He held various town offices. He left 
a will dated 7 Sept., 1819, proved 8 June, 1820. He named daughters 

1 Concord records. 

2 Archives, 94:101; 95:308, 325. 3 Middlesex Deeds, 71:536. 

4 Family Bible of Samuel Holden in possession of Miss Helen Wilson. This Bible contains the records 
of the family of Peter and Beulah Holden, and of Samuel’s children, etc. It is supposed that at the death 
of Beulah her husband gave the Bible to his brother, who probably had named his son for the lately deceased 
son of Peter. See 223. 

5 Concord records. 



214 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Sarah Knowlton and Betsy Holden, son Samuel Holden, and grand¬ 
children Ira, Amos, Eliza Ann, Edward, Reuben. 1 The last named, 
children of Reuben, deceased, being minors under fourteen years 
were placed under guardianship of Nathaniel Gould of New Ipswich, 
19 Oct., 1814. 

Children, 2 born at New Ipswich: 

1 Samuel, born 17 Jan., 1769; died 4 March, 1860 (g.s.) at New Ipswich, 3 

unmarried. He was a carpenter and farmer, and still active in 1852. 

2 Sarah, born 17 April, 1771; died 15 March, 1841; married, 1796, 

John Knowlton of New Ipswich, born 1766, died 12 Feb., 1838, 

son of Benjamin and Pliila Knowlton. 4 

Children: 4 

1. Sally Knowlton, born 11 May, 1797. 

2. Eliza Knowlton, born 12 July, 1799. 

3. John Knowlton, born 11 May, 1802. 

4. Sophia (Sophronia) Knowlton, born 8 Sept., 1805. 

5. Elmira Knowlton, born 15 July, 1808. 

3-3 Reuben, born 21 July, 1773; died 13 Nov., 1813; married Hannah 
Raymond or Pritchard. 

4 Betsey, born 17 Dec., 1782; died 16 Nov., 1868 (g.s.) at New Ipswich, 
unmarried. 

2236 Lieutenant John (Peter, John , Justinian ), born 26 July, 5 
1753, 6 at Concord; died 13 March, 1828, at Leicester; 7 married 23 
April, 1789, at Holden, Zipporah Hall, died 27 Jan., 1827, “aged 
56,” 4 daughter of Captain John Hall, a shipmaster. 8 
Children, born at Leicester 7 except the two eldest: 

1- 1 John, born 1 June, 1789, at Holden; died 1863; married Sally 

K. Smith. 5 

2- 2 Peter, born 25 Feb., 1790; died aged 40; 8 married Ruth Sylvester; 

(2) Eliza Price. 

3 Mary (Polly), married 25 Dec., 1817, at Leicester, Joseph 

Sylvester of Leicester. 

Children, born at Leicester: 7 

1. Joshua Sylvester, born 26 Sept., 1818. 

2. Margaret Chase Sylvester, born 12 Sept. 1821. 

3. Horace Earl Sylvester, born 9 April, 1824. 

4 Abigail, born 20 Jan., 1795; died 3 June, 1805, “aged lO 1 ^”. 8 

5 Edmond Hall, born 2 Dec., 1796; died young. 

6 Silas, born 2 June, 1798; died s.p. Farmer. 

7 Olive, born 29 Nov., 1799; married Philip Vincent of Dennis, Mass. 

8 Hannah, born 8 Oct., 1801; married- Metcalf of Holden. 

1 Town records. 

2 Family Bible of Samuel Holden in possession of Miss Helen Wilson. This Bible contains the records 
of the family of Peter and Beulah Holden, arid of Samuel’s children, etc. It is supposed that at the 
death of Beulah her husband gave the Bible to his brother, who probably had named his son for the 
lately deceased son of Peter. See 223. 

3 Hillsboro Probate. 4 F. A. Holden Ms. 

5 R. W. Holden Ms. 6 Concord records. 7 Leicester records. 

8 Information concerning this family was obtained in 1867 from Dr. Edgar Holden. 



FOURTH GENERATION 


215 


9-9 Edmond Hall, born 8 May, 1804; died 1867; married Sarah Marvin 
(Metcalf). 1 

10 Abigail, born 20 March, 1806; married- Frederics of Newark, 

N. J. 

Iv-11 Asa Hall, born 3 Sept., 1807; married Annie Louisa Seymour. 

12 Susan Hall, born 21 Dec., 1809; died 3 Oct., 1829; 2 unmarried. 

John Holden was a private in the company commanded by Captain 
Adam Wheeler in Colonel Ephraim Doolittle’s regiment. His name 
appears on the company rolls dated 13 July, 1775, at Charlestown, 
and 6 Oct., 1775, at Winter Hill. According to the historian of 
Leicester, he arrived at camp the day before the battle of Bunker Hill 
and participated in that engagement. He reenlisted 1 Jan., 1776; 
sergeant in Wheeler’s company, Colonel Thomas Nixon’s (4th) 
regiment at Northcastle, October, 1776, to January, 1777, inclusive. 
Fie was promoted ensign 1 Jan., 1777. He served as ensign sixteen 
months, was promoted second lieutenant, 17 April, 1778, and in 
June, 1779, was attached to the light infantry company, which in 
1780 was commanded by Captain Abel Holden, and was discharged 
December, 1782, or January, 1783. In March, 1783, he was reported 
as entitled to five years full pay in lieu of half pay for life, being on 
the rolls of the 6th Massachusetts regiment, Colonel Tupper, who 
had previously commanded the 10th, in which served John Flolden 
of Stoneham. Lieutenant John Holden was a member of the Society 
of the Cincinnati. He should not be confounded with Captain John 
Holden of Mendon (22221). The historian of Leicester, and also 
his grandson, Edgar Flolden, stated that he was at the storming of 
Stony Point under “mad Anthony Wayne.” 

xAfter the war Lieutenant Holden settled in Holden, later removed 
to Paxton, and finally to Leicester, where he lived in a house on the 
east side of the Rutland road. 

The census of 1790 found him at Paxton, head of a family con¬ 
sisting of self, wife, and one male under sixteen years of age. 

« 

22J1 Captain Abel (Jonas, John, Justinian), born 2 Oct., 1752, 
at Sudbury; 3 died 3 Aug., 1818, in New York City; married 27 Aug., 
1772, at Sudbury, 3 Lois Cutler , 4 born 31 July, 1753, daughter of 
Asher and Rebecca (Wood) Cutler. He married, second, 23 July, 
1777, at Waltham, 3 Thankful Cutting, born 14 April, 1758, at 
Waltham, daughter of Richard and Thankful Cutting. 3 She survived 
her husband. 

Children: 

1 Levi Otis, born 28 Dec., 1772, at Sudbury. 3 


1 R. W. Holden Ms. 

3 Town records. 

4 Will of Asher Cutler, 1786. 


2 Leicester records. 



216 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


By second marriage: 

2 Abel, born 30 Jan., 1779, at Sudbury. 1 

3 Louis (Lewis), born 13 Jan., 1781, at Sudbury. 

4 Thankful, born 1783; married Burnell Brown. 

Child: 

1. Elizabeth Thankful Brown, married Robert Field Manley. 

5 William, born 1785. 

6 Asa, born 1787. 

7 Jonas, born 1789. 

8 Mary, living in 1848. 

Abel Holden responded to the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, 
and enlisted in the Continental Army from Sudbury, and retained 
his residence there during the war. Soon after the war he settled 
in Marlboro, probably in 1782, where he was a “trader.” He was 
a selectman of that town in 1783. He was one of the original members 
of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati, 9 June, 1783. 2 

Facsimiles of signatures of Levi Holden, Lieutenant , and Abel 
Holden, Captain, original members of the Massachusetts Society of 
the Cincinnati, June 9, 1783, are preserved in Washington. 3 

He was of Marlboro in August, 1788. He removed to Hanover, 
N. H., and was enumerated there in 1790 as head of family of seven 
males over sixteen, including self, three under sixteen, and four 
females. This family undoubtedly included that of his brother Asa, 
who was then of Hanover, but not listed as head of a family. 

He finally removed to New r York City and was appointed an 
assistant justice of the tenth ward in 1811. In 1818 (27 March, at 
New r Yhrk) he applied for a pension. He stated that he entered the 
service of Massachusetts 19 April, 1775, and continued in the army 
and on the Continental establishment until the first day of May, 
1781, in the different regiments and grades hereinafter mentioned: 
(viz.): In 1775 was adjutant to Colonel John Nixon's regiment and 
served in that capacity to the close of that year. In 1776 was com¬ 
missioned lieutenant and adjutant in the same regiment on the 
Continental establishment and served to the close of that year. 
In 1777, on 1 January, was commissioned captain, 6th Massachu¬ 
setts regiment, Colonel Thomas Nixon, and continued in the army 
in that grade until the 1 May, 1781, “making an aggregate of Six 
Years and Eleven days of unremitting service — wdien for want of 
that stipulated compensation to enable him to provide for the 
wants of an increasing and helpless family, which from the 
peculiar circumstances of our Country, it was not in the power of 
the Government to make, w 7 as alone the compulsory cause of 
his requesting a discharge from the Army, w T hich was granted by 

1 Town records. 2 Drake: Biographical Notices of the Society of Massachusetts, etc., 1873, p. 333. 

3 F. A. Holden Ms. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


217 


his Excellency General Washington at his Head Quarters at New 
Windsor in the State of New York on the first day of May A.D. 1781. 

And by reason of his advanced age and — ‘ reduced circumstances 
in life is now in need of assistance from his country for support.’” 

Abel Holden was sergeant in Captain John Nixon’s company of 
minute-men, Colonel Pierce’s regiment, which marched on the 
Alarm of 19 April, 1775. Commissioned lieutenant and adjutant 
in Colonel John Nixon’s regiment, 5 June, 1775, having engaged 24 
April; second lieutenant in Captain Micajah Gleason’s company, 4th 
regiment, acting adjutant; promoted to captain 1 Jan., 1777. He 
served with this regiment until discharged 1 May, 1781, and was 
in battle of Stillwater in 1777. He was frequently detached upon 
recruiting service. He enlisted into the line from the 4tli Middlesex 
county regiment, commanded by Colonel Ezekiel Howe. 1 

22J2 Captain Levi {Jonas, John, Justinian), born 12 Jan., 
1754; 2 died 19 April, 1823, 3 in Newark, N. J.; married 15 Jan., 1778, 
Hannah Plympton, who is described on the record as “Mrs.” She 
was born 27 July, 1750, died at Newark, 28 Sept., 1828, 4 daughter 
of Thomas and Ruth Plympton of Sudbury. 

Children, 5 born at Sudbury, except the fourth and fifth: 

1-1 Thomas, born 5 Sept., 1779; died 20 May, 1820; married Ann Vose. 

2 Levi, born 27 Dec., 1780; died 28 Dec., 1847, at Newark, N. J.; 

married 16 April, 1817, in Somerset County, N. J., 6 Catherine 

(Eoff) Woodhull. He appears to have first married Jane Eoff, 

daughter of Christopher Eoff. 6 He was a master mariner and owner 

of his own ship; later a farmer. 

3 Polly (Mary), born 29 Nov., 1783; died 23 Dec., 1844; married 

Ward 5 Richmond. 

Children: 

1. Orlando Richmond, born 1805. 

2. Emeline Holden Richmond, born 1807; married- Johnson. 

3. Alexander Plympton Richmond, born 1808; died unmarried. 

4. Kingman Richmond, born 1810; died young. 

5. Kingman Ward Richmond, born 1812; died young. 

6. Otis Richmond, born 1814; died young. 

7. Henry Augustus Richmond, born 1815; married at Savannah. 

8. Hannah Jane Richmond, born 1818; died young. 

9. Mary Jane Richmoud, born 1821; died young. 

4-4 George, born 21 July, 1785, at Marlborough; died 21 Jan., 1847; 

married Eliza O. Nichols; (2) Mrs. Mary (Wheeler) Halsey; 

(3) Mrs. Jane (Hardy) Eagles. 

1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 2 Sudbury records. 

3 Washington City Review, July, 1823. The obituary says of him, “several years distinguished by General 
Washington, as a favorite of his guard ... it is unnecessary to say more in favor of the good conduct 
of Mr. Holden, than that Washington was his friend.” 

4 F. A. Holden Ms, and genealogical record of Miss Edith Holden of Greenwich, Conn. 

6 Data concerning these children from F. A. Holden Ms., the births confirmed from town records, and 
the families of daughters by Rev. Louis H. Holden, 1917. 

6 See Somerset County Historical Quarterly, vol. 7. 



218 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


5-5 Henry, born 10 March, 1787; died 22 July, 1846; married Eliza 

Plum; (2) Mary W. Mittman; (3) Susan Morgan. 

6 Warren, born 15 Aug., 1788; died 18 Feb., 1816; unmarried. 

7 Hannah, born 30 Jan., 1790; died Aug., 1867; married Richard 

Duyckinck. 

Children: 

1. Harriet Duyckink, born 1812. 

2. William Duyckink, born 1815, Lamington, N. J. 

3. Mary Duyckink, born 1817, at Lamington. 

4. Horace Duyckink, born 1819. 

5. George Duyckink, born 1824. 

6. Margaret Duyckink, born 1828, at Hackensack, N. J. 

8 Emma, born 31 Aug., 1791; died 21 March, 1863; unmarried. 

9-9 Horace, born 5 Nov., 1793; died 25 March, 1862; married Bathsheba 

Sanford; (2) Marcy Cotten; (3) Catherine P. Judson. 

10 Otis, born 16 Feb., 1796; died 24 Nov., 1825; unmarried. 

11 Harriot, born 31 Dec., 1797; died 7 Feb., 1867; married Caleb H. 

Shipman. 

Children 

1. Mary Shipman. 

2. James Shipman. 

3. Emma Shipman. 

4. Mary Shipman. 

5. Elizabeth, married Charles Henry Webb. 

6. Henry Shipman, of New York City. 

7. William Shipman, of New York City. 

The Sudbury record of births describes him as lieutenant in 1779 
and captain in 1785. He was one of the original members of the 
Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati. 

He was a resident of Marlboro from 1785 to 1787, but in 1790 
was enumerated at Sudbury, head of a family consisting of self, five 
females, and five males under sixteen years. 

Levi Holden, then styled “of Marlborough, gentleman,” bought 
of Ebenezer Wood of Sudbury, 43 rods of land in Sudbury at junction 
of the county road running from Carter's Mills to the meeting house 
and the “great county road from Boston to AYorcester,” 16 Feb., 
1787. 2 He probably settled in Sudbury at this time, as in June of 
that year he takes a mortgage of the said Wood on five acres adjoining, 
which in September, 1788, together with 16 acres adjoining, w T as 
deeded to him by Wood. These purchases he himself mortgaged 
and finally disposed of in March, 1795. He is described as “Esquire” 
and “gentleman.” The names of Jonas Holden, Jr., Joel Holden, 
Abel Holden, among others, appear as witnesses to many of these 
transactions. 

Levi Holden enlisted for the town of Sudbury in 1775, for three 

1 Data concerning these children from F. A. Holden Ms., the births confirmed from town records and 
the families of daughters by Rev. Louis H. Holden, 1917. 2 Middlesex Deeds, 95:280. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


219 


years, out of 4th Middlesex county regiment, Colonel Howe. He was 
in Captain Micajah Gleason’s company, Colonel Thomas Nixon’s 
regiment, afterward sergeant in Captain Jeremiah Gilman’s company; 
sergeant-major and quartermaster sergeant, 1776; ensign 1 Jan., 
1777; lieutenant 26 Nov., 1779, to date from 22 Dec., 1777. He 
was reported on command with the General’s guard at headquarters 
from June, 1781, in muster roll dated March and April, 1783. He 
was attached to the 6th Massachusetts Continental regiment. 

Levi Holden applied for a pension 13 July, 1820. He made declara¬ 
tion at Newark that he was aged 66 years, a resident of Newark; 
that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: In December, 
1775, enlisted as sergeant major in the 6th Massachusetts regiment, 
Colonel Nixon; in 1776 “received a commission as ensign in same 
regiment from State of Massachusetts; in 1777 received a commission 
as second lieutenant in same regiment, and continued on the rolls of 
said regiment till the close of the war in June, 1783. In 1781, was 
transferred to General Washington’s Guard, and was settled with 
by Benj n Howard, paymaster. He was in actual service of the 
Continental establishment for seven years, seven months — his 
commissions 1 are now on file in the office of the War Department 
accompanying his first application. He was with General Washington 
at the battles of Trenton and Princeton and was at the surrender of 
Rurgoyne and Cornwallis, and in many other small engagements 
with the enemy; and that his original declaration is dated 7 April, 
1818, and that his pension certificate is No. 452.” 

He further declared that he was so afflicted as to be unable and 
unfit for labor; that his family consisted of himself, wife aged 66 
years, a weak and infirm woman named Hannah, a son named Otis 
aged 24, who was unfit for labor in consequence of bleeding at the 
lungs, his physicians requiring him to abstain from any hard exercise 
and from military duty, and that he had no profession; two daughters, 
Emma aged 28, Harriet aged 22; the daughters were capable of 
providing for their own support. He signs as ”Levi Holden, Com¬ 
missioned Captain by Brevet, Oct. 19, 1786.” 

22J3 Major Jonas {Jonas, John , Justinian ), born 31 Aug., 
1756, at Sudbury; died about 1847, at Waitesfield, Vt.; 2 married 10 
Dec., 1776, at Sudbury, Molly Thompson, born 1 Jan., 1757, 
daughter of James and Mary (Vorse) Thompson. 

Children, born at Sudbury: 3 

1 Lewis, born 21 Feb., 1777; died 1870, at Waitsfield; married 21 June, 
1803, at Keene, N. H., Phebe Sawin; (2) 8 June, 1829, Nancy 
Kidder. He lived at Waitsfield, 1806-1835, and from 1839-1870; 
at Weathersfield, 1835-9. The census of 1810 enumerates him at 


1 Case 34,406, U. S. Pension Office. 


2 R. W. Holden Ms. 


3 Town records. 


220 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Waitsfield, head of family consisting of self and another male 
between the ages of 26 and 45, one male between 10 and 16 years, 
one female of like age, and one between 26 and 45. It is probable 
that his father was living with him, or possibly one of his brothers. 
He kept store and tavern; was town clerk, 1828-1835, selectman 
1833. 1 The marriage of Lewis Holden and Nancy Johnson is 
found 8 June, 1829, at Waitsfield. The census of 1850 found him, 
aged 73, and wife Nancy, aged 61, at Waitsfield. He is described 
as a farmer and with no other person in his family. Both were 
again enumerated in 1860. 

2 A child, born 27 Oct., 1778; died 20 Nov., 1778. 

3 Abigail Kendall, born 1 March, 1780; married 26 Sept., 1796, at 

Sudbury, William Mears Dawes, born 26 Dec., 1771, in Boston, 
died Oct., 1855, in Licking County, Ohio, son of William and 
Mehitable (May) Dawes. He was appointed surveyor and inspector 
of the port of Thomaston, Maine, 1809, and represented that town 
in the first state Constitutional Convention. He removed to 
Morgan County, Ohio, in 1817, was member of the Assembly, 
and Associate Judge of Morgan County. In 1834 he removed to 
Licking County. 

Children: 

1. Charles May Dawes, born 15 Aug., 1797, at Sudbury. 

2. William Dawes, born 2 Aug., 1799; married 18 Oct., 1820, 

Sally Rice; (2) 1 Dec., 1851, Lucy Ann Birchard. Lived 
at Oberlin, Ohio. 

3. George Dawes, born 25 Oct., 1801; died 10 Oct., 1869; married 

6 Mar., 1825, Elizabeth Ames. Lived at Alexandria, Ohio, 
and Ripon, Wis. 

4. Henry Dawes, born 4 May, 1804, at Thomaston; died 4 Nov., 

1867, in Juneau County, Wis.; married 20 Jan., 1829, at 
Warren, Ohio, Sarah Cutler, daughter of Ephraim Cutler. 
Their son, Brigadier-General Rufus R. Dawes, born 4 July, 
1838, died 2 Aug., 1899, at Marietta, Ohio; married 18 Jan., 
1864, Mary Beman Gates, and was father of General Charles 
Gates Dawes, born 27 Aug., 1865, of Chicago, Rufus Cutler 
Dawes, born 30 July, 1867, of Chicago, Beman Gates Dawes, 
14 Jan., 1870, of Columbus, Ohio, Mary Frances Dawes, 
Henry May Dawes, and Betsey Gates Dawes. 2 

5. Edward Dawes, born 16 June, 1807; married 22 June, 1837, 

Caroline Dana. He was a physician in McConnellsville. 

6. James Thompson Dawes, born 13 June, 1809; died 27 Sept., 

1840; married 26 Sept., 1838, Ann Fitch. 

7. Mary Holden Dawes, born 18 Oct., 1811; married 8 May, 1845, 

Edgar Birge Ellsworth of Hudson, Ohio. 

8. Jane Dawes, born 20 Nov., 1813; married 20 May, 1840, Lyman 

Walcott Rose of Alexandria, Ohio. 

9. John Dawes, born 7 Dec., 1815; died 19 July, 1876; marred 

10 Sept., 1845, Mary M. Van Dorn. Lived at Alexandria. 

1 History of Waitsfield. 

2 See Who's Who in America, also information of Mrs. M. W. Ferris. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


221 


4 Ruel, born 29 Aug., 1781. 

5 John, born 12 June, 1783. 

6 Polly, born 18 March, 1785; married 1 Dec., 1803, at Sudbury, 

Dr. Charles Ulmer. 

7 Betsy, born 28 Jan., 1787; married 2 Oct., 1805, at Sudbury, Thomas 

Ruggles Plympton. 

8 William, born 17 March, 1789. 

9 Sally, born 21 April, 1791. 

10 Nancy, born 8 Feb., 1793; died 15 April, 1794. 

11 Nancy, born 19 April, 1795. 

12 Fanny, born 2 July, 1798. 

Jonas Plolden was a member of the company commanded by 
Captain John Nixon, and responded to the Alarm of the 19 April, 
1775, and served one month. 1 His name also appears on the roll 
of Captain Rice’s company, as Jonas Holden, ensign, received £53. 2 
After the war he was commissioned captain, and is so styled on town 
records in 1789, and major in or before 1798. The census of 1790 
enumerated him at Sudbury as head of family consisting of self, 
four males under sixteen years, and five females. In 1791 he is 
described as an innkeeper. It is said that he removed to Waitsfield, 
Vt., in 1805, but he is not found there in the United States census of 
1810. He may, however, have been of Winchester, N. FI., that year. 

22J4 Asa (Jonas, John, Justinian), born 10 May, 1762, at 
Sudbury; died 3 Aug., 1854, in New York City and was buried in 
Greenwood Cemetery; 3 married 1837, Mary -, who in applica¬ 

tion for a pension 12 Aug., 1868, states she was widow of Asa Holden, 
and had no children under sixteen years of age. 

Notwithstanding his youth Asa Holden had a long and honorable 
military record in the Revolutionary War. He asserted in his applica¬ 
tion for pension that he volunteered at Winter Hill near Boston 
about the last of April, 1775. The record of this service is not found 
in Massachusetts archives, but he may have been accepted as a 
drummer boy. The records give his enlistment 1 Aug., 1778, in 
Captain Robert Cutting’s company, McIntosh’s regiment, with 
service in Rhode Island until 10 Sept., 1778; also his enlistment 5 July, 
1780, described as sixteen years of age, five feet ten inches in height, 
ruddy complexion, and that he was assigned to Major Peter Harwood’s 
company, 6th Massachusetts regiment, and discharged 5 Dec., 
1780; also his enlistment 23 Sept., 1781 in the Continental line, 
and discharge 4 Dec., 1781, from Captain Daniel Bowker’s company, 
Webb’s regiment. At the time he made his declaration he was 
seventy years of age. Fie stated he removed after the Revolution 

1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 2 History of Sudbury, 

3 N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., 8:98, where it is stated he was in the battles of Rhode Island, White Plains, 
and Kings Bridge, and witnessed the execution of Major Andr4. 



222 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


from Sudbury to Hanover, N. H., where he lived about twelve 
years, and then to New York City, where he had since resided. 

Following is an abstract of his own statement: 

He entered the army in April, 1775, at a place called Winter Hill 
near Boston in the eight months service, in Colonel John Nixon’s 
regiment. In December, 1775, he joined guard at Sudbury to guard 
Continental stores, was there about two years. In the spring of 1778 
was drafted and sent to Rhode Island to the best of his memory 
for six months, but was discharged before his time expired — and 
December, 1778, was accepted as a substitute for a man drafted for 
six months and sent to Poughkeepsie, to join Colonel Baley under 
the Continental establishment; was attached to guard commanded 
by Sergeant Hall, and in a short time was sent to hospital and there 
detained after his time was out on account of his sickness. In May 
or June, 1780, entered army for six months and joined Colonel 
Greaton’s regiment; was detached from that regiment and sent to 
Colonel Shepard’s regiment of infantry under Marquis De La Fayette. 
He exchanged places with a man in Colonel Thomas Nixon’s regiment 
whose name he thinks was Calvin Ernes, and had to serve the man’s 
time out, which made about nine months. In the summer of 1781 
he entered army again in Captain Gage’s company, Colonel Jameson’s 
regiment, the “flying camp," for six months. In the summer of 
1782 was in Captain Bowker's company, Colonel Webb’s regiment 
of militia stationed three months at Peekskill, on Gallows Hill so 
called. 

“The above is as correct a statement of his services as he on due 
reflection can recollect, but, it being between fifty and sixty years 
ago and he then a youth, it is very likely that all the dates may 
not be exactly correct. But this he declares as a positive fact that 
he was at different time under command of all those different officers 
mentioned in this deponent’s application, and that he positively 
served in the Revolutionary Army against the common enemy 
much more than two years, which is all the law requires to be entitled 
to a pension, the above with other affidavits before sworn to and 
which accompany this is all this deponent can produce at this present 
time.” 


22J5 Joel (Jonas, John, Justinian), born 5 Dec., 1768, at 
Sudbury; married Betsy David, 1 later than 1790, as he is not that 
year enumerated in the census as head of a family. 

Children, born at Sudbury: 2 

1 Anna, born 22 Feb., 1792. 

2 Jonas, born 22 Feb., 1792. 

1 R. W. Holden Ms. 

2 Town records, “of Joel and Betsy.” 


FOURTH GENERATION 


223 


2311 Joseph (Isaac, Isaac, Justinian), born prior to 1758, 
probably ten or fifteen years earlier; married 24 Dec., 1778, at 
Cambridge, 1 Sarah Holden (232-1), his cousin, born 18 Nov., 1757, 
at Cambridge, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Fuller) Holden. 
Children, baptized at Cambridge: 1 

1 Hannah, baptized 19 Sept., 1779; married 14 March, 1808, at Weston, 

Josiah Jennison, baptized 30 Sept., 1781, at Watertown; died 
17 Oct., 1846, at Newton, 2 son of Phineas (21-64) and Susan 
(Newton) Jennison. 3 
Children: 

1. Josiah Jennison. 

2. John Jennison. 

3. Lucia Jennison. 

4. Hannah Jennison. 

5. Sarah Jennison. 

2 Isaac, baptized 10 Dec., 1780. 

3 Mary, baptized (as Polly), 21 April, 1782. 

4 Sally, baptized 6 April, 1783. 

Joseph Holden of Cambridge, Sarah his wife, and Sarah Holden, 
widow, sold to Richard Richardson of Watertown, housewright, 
sixty acres with house, 19 Jan., 1784. The homestead was subject 
to a mortgage of £120, and this was assumed by Richardson, who 
paid in addition £360. This conveyance is the basis for the state¬ 
ment that Sarah Holden sold the farm, which she had inherited 
from her father, out of the family in which it had been for a century 
and a half. In 1783 Joseph Holden was styled “gentleman”, but in 
1784 “yeoman”. He was not a resident of Cambridge in 1790. 
Possibly he was that Joseph Holden of Vatervliet, N. Y., who in 
1790 was enumerated as head of a family, consisting of self, two 
males under sixteen, and three females. 

There were several Joseph Holdens who served in the army during 
the American Revolution. It is somewhat difficult to identify the 
men. Joseph Holden, who signed an enlistment agreement at 
Cambridge, 15 Aug., 1777, and served until the 29 Nov., 1777, in 
Captain Joseph Fuller’s company, Colonel Samuel Bullard’s regiment, 
and who from the 10 September was rated as a corporal in FurniveU's 
company “doing service at the northward,” and probably as an 
artilleryman, appears to be Joseph 2311. 

2341 Isaac (Justinian, Isaac, Justinian), born 12 Feb., 1741-2, 
at Harvard; died 29 June, 1827, 4 at St. Albans, Vt.; 5 married 

1 Church records. 2 Newton records. 

3 R. W. Holden Ms. In Bonds, Watertown, p. 801, her name appears as Howard and Holden suggested . 

4 Pension records. 

5 Woodstock Observer, issue of 10 July, 1827, where his birth is given as 23 Feb., 1743, and statement 
made he served two campaigns in the French war, 1759-1760, and was at battles of Lexington, Bunker Hill, 
Long Island, Harlem Heights, Trenton and Princeton. 


224 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


7 June, 1773, at Harvard, Sarah Hale . 1 She was living in 1777, 
and was probably the mother of the children living in 1790. There 
is a marriage record at Hillsboro, N. H., 25 Feb., 1798, between 
Isaac Holden of Hillsboro, and Mary Heath of Henniker, and if the 
identification of Isaac Holden of Mason, N. H., with Isaac of 
Harvard is correct, this marriage is evidently a second marriage of 
the latter. It is known that at his death Isaac left a widow. 

The record given below of the family of Isaac Holden is subject 
to correction, as it has not been possible to obtain communication 
with any descendant who is informed on this point, and the data 
obtained have been gleaned from various sources and lack verification. 
Children: 

1-1 Isaac, born 1774; of age in 1795 ; 2 married Phebe Powers. 

2 Sarah, born 29 July, 1776, at Ashburnham; 3 died 12 Aug., 1836, at 

Hillsboro, N. H.; 3 married 23(22) March, 1797, John Hartwell, 
born 7 Nov., 1774; died 27 (13) Sept., 1871, son of John and Susanna 
(Foster) Hartwell. 3 He married again. Lived in Hillsboro. 
Children: 3 

1. Willard Hartwell, born 4 March, 1798, at Hillsboro; died 26 

Nov., 1820. 

2. John Hartwell, born 2 Dec., 1799; died 17 May, 1869; married 

29 Nov., 1827, Catherine Gray. 

3. Silas Foster Hartwell, born 16 Aug., 1801; died 8 Dec., 1883; 

married 25 Oct., 1826, Emily Davis. 

4. Sally Hartwell, born 12 Aug., 1803; died in infancy. 

5. Sarah Hartwell, born 16 Dec., 1804; died 7 Oct., 1864; married 

30 April, 1839, Ebenezer Carter, born 1799, died 7 Oct., 1864. 

6. Child, died in infancy. 

7. Olive Hartwell, born 19 May, 1808; married 17 March, 1831, 

Captain Lyman Densmore, born 3 Deo», 1808; died 20 Oct. 
1882.4 

8. Caroline Hartwell, born 15 May, 1810; died 20 Oct., 1847; 

married 27 Nov., 1841, John L. K. Staples. 

9. Lucy Hartwell, born 31 March, 1812; married 1 Nov., 1834, 

John Eayers, born 21 July, 1804, died 1 March, 1861. 

10. Elisha Hartwell, born 14 Dec., 1814; died 19 Oct., 1821. 

11. Almira Hartwell, born 16 July, 1817; died 26 Aug., 1883; married 

1 Feb., 1841, George J. Cooledge. 

12. Abigail Hartwell, born 27 Jan., 1819. 

13. Child, born and died Feb., 1821. 

3 Lucy, twin with Sarah, living 1790; married David Parmenter of 

Hillsborough. 4 

4- 4 Justin, born 1780; died 2 (26) 4 July, 1863; married Lucy Hartwell. 

5- 5 Phinehas, under sixteen years in 1790; died 18 (24) 4 Feb., 1822; 

married Sally (Hartwell) Robinson or Robertson. 

\ rec( ^ s -, 1° F. A. Holden Ms. the statement is made that Isaac married-Stone 

2 Hillsboro Deeds, 37:83. 

3 Hartwell Handbook. 

4 Browne: History of Hillsborough, A 7 . H., 1922, where it is stated that Isaac was born 25 June, 1741. 



FOURTH GENERATION 


225 


6 Milly, perhaps one of the daughters living 1790. 

7 Dorcas, perhaps one of the daughters, living 1790. 

8 — 8 Salmon (Selwyn 1 ), of age in 1818, under sixteen in 1790, under 
twenty-six in 1810; died 1839; married Susan Allen. 

9-9 Ambrose, 1 died 11 June, 1869; 2 married Sylvia; (2) Abigail San¬ 
born. 2 

10 Daughter, living 1790. 3 

11 David, under ten years in 1810. 3 

12 Daughter, under sixteen and more than ten in 1810. 3 

13 Daughter, under ten in 1810. 3 

Isaac Holden enlisted 27 March, 1759, for the invasion of Canada, 
in regiment commanded by Colonel Oliver Wilder. He was described 
as of Harvard, aged 17, son of Ruth Holden, and as having served 
the preceding year (in expedition against Lake George). On the 
30 April, 1759, he was a member of the 2d Battalion, Ruggles’ 
regiment. He served until 30 Nov., 1759, in Captain Aaron Willard’s 
company “serving westward”. 4 It is possible that the first of these 
enlistments was for the year 1758. 

He appears to have been of Mason, N. H., prior to the Revolution, 
selling land there in 1773 and 1774, 5 and in this connection it should 
be noted that Isaac Holden, who married Phebe, was of Mason in 
1806, and that year sold land in Ashby on the Ashburnham road, 
and had lived there two years earlier. This Isaac, assumed to be 
the son of Isaac and Sarah, was a joiner. The elder Isaac was a 
wheelwright, so described in deeds and in his pension declaration. 

In 1774 Isaac Holden owned a pew in Harvard church. That 
year, describing himself as of Harvard, wheelwright, he sold land in 
Harvard, no wife appearing, and 13 April, 1777, sold other land 
there, his wdfe Sarah releasing dower. 6 In 1782, describing himself 
as of Harvard, husbandman, he sold fifty acres of land in the north¬ 
east part of Petersham. According to the Hartwell Handbook 
he removed to Hillsborough in 1795, where he lived on the east bank 
of the Contoocook River, a mile below Hillsborough Bridge. He 
and Daniel Holden were assessed in Hillsborough in 1795. In the 
meantime he lived at Ashburnham, and was enumerated there in 
the Census of 1790, head of a family consisting of self, one other 
male over sixteen years, three under sixteen years, and five females. 
He was of Hillsborough in December, 1794, for that month he bought 
ten acres in Henniker, 7 and in 1806 and 1807 was living there. He 
sold land there 9 Jan., 1806, to Joseph Heath, and 9 Dec., 1807, 
sold forty acres there. In 1810 he was enumerated at Waitsfield, Vt. s 

1 Browne: History of Hillsborough, N. H., 1922, where is is stated that Isaac was born 25 June, 1741. 

2 Pension records. 

8 Census. It is assumed that the members of his family were his children, but this cannot be asserted 
positively. 

« Archives, 97:375, 398, 189. 5 Hillsboro Deeds, 2:412; 6:57. 

s Worcester Deeds, 71:515; 80:309; 86:263, 417. i Hillsboro Deeds, 37:435; 70:186, 545, 547. 


226 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


head of a family consisting of self, over 45 years of age, one female 
of like age, one male between ten and sixteen, another between 
sixteen and twenty-six, one female between ten and sixteen and one 
under ten years. In January, 1811, his house at St. Albans was 
destroyed by fire. He was living there in 1818 and probably died 
there, but is also reported to have died at Malone, N. Y. 1 

He was a pensioner. On the 10 April, 1818, then giving his age 
as seventy-five, he made declaration that he enlisted 1 Dec., 1775, 
at Prospect Hill, in Charlestown, and entered the service as 
first lieutenant in company commanded by Captain Thomas Cole, 
9th regiment, Colonel Yarnum (Rhode Island line), and afterward 
received from the Continental Congress a commission as first 
lieutenant, bearing the date he entered the service, and that he 
continued to serve in said corps, or in the service of the United 
States, until sometime in February, 1777, when he was honorably 
discharged at Quibbletown, near Morristown, N. J.; that he was 
in the battle of Long Island at the time General Sullivan and Lord 
Sterling were taken prisoners, also in the battles of Harlem Heights, 
Trenton and Princeton; that he was then in reduced circumstances 
and needed the assistance of his country. His commission and all 
papers were destroyed when his house was destroyed by fire about 
six years ago. 

On the 26 May, 1818, Salmon Holden of Plattsburgh, N. Y ., of 
lawful age, deposed that in January, 1811, he was living in his 
father’s house at St. Albans, and it was destroyed by fire, and that 
a commission as lieutenant and other papers were lost. 

Sarah Willard, wife of Thomas Willard of Swanton, Vt., aged 
67 years, deposed in July, 1818, that she had lived in the same town 
at the beginning of the Revolution, and knew him as “lieutenant.” 
Thomas Willard, aged 69, gave a certificate to the same effect, adding 
that he had always heard he was a “good and faithful officer. ” 

Isaac Holden made a further declaration 11 July, 1820, evidently 
to retain the pension which had been allowed him, and then stated 
he was a millwright, that he suffered from age and asthma, had no 
property of any kind, and was entirely dependent upon his friends. 2 

\ he service record of Isaac Holden is substantiated by Massa¬ 
chusetts Revolutionary Rolls, where it appears that he marched 
on the Lexington Alarm as second sergeant in company commanded 
by Captain John Davis, Colonel John Whitcomb’s regiment; that 
at Cambridge he enlisted, 26 April, was appointed third sergeant, 
in Captain James Burt’s company, Colonel Asa Whitcomb’s regiment; 
was at Prospect Hill in August; and that in September and October 

1 Browne: History of Hillsborough. 

2 Pension papers. There is a letter dated Cleveland. Ohio, 24 July, 1854, signed by S. S. Holden, asking 
4 * 1 ' Wlc *°w °* Isaac Holden who died some twenty or thirty years ago, and who received his pay at 

bt. Albans, had received her pay since his death. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


227 


of that year he was adjutant, rank not stated, but his name appears 
on list of officers in Captain John Fuller’s company in September. 
Varnum’s regiment to which he was attached in 1776 was one of 
the Rhode Island regiments, and was practically reorganized in 
early part of 1777, and undoubtedly Isaac Holden was discharged 
to make room for a citizen of Rhode Island. 

2622 Stephen ( Stephen , Joseph , Justinian ), born 16 May, 
1755, at Westminster; died there 15 Nov., 1803; married 8 June, 
1780, at Westminster, Elizabeth Miller, born 16 March, 1758, 
died 22 Nov., 1828, daughter of Deacon Joseph and Mary (Williams) 
Miller. He was enumerated in 1790 at Westminster, head of a 
family of self, three males under sixteen, and three females. He was 
selectman, representative, 1788, and delegate to the convention to 
ratify the Federal constitution. 

Children, born at Westminster: 1 

1-1 Jonas, born 3 Oct., 1780; died 15 March, 1861; married Lucy Brooks ; 
(2) Asenath Jackson. 

2 Samuel, born 21 Nov., 1782; died 29 Nov., 1804, unmarried. 

3 Joel, born 24 Sept., 1784; died same day. 

4 Sarah, born 25 Sept., 1785; died 5 Nov., 1868, in Boston, Mass.; 

married 1 March, 1813, James Foster of Boston, born 25 Dec., 
1787, at Bedford, N. H.; died 14 March, 1837, in Boston. They 
moved to Eaton, N. Y. where all their children were born; after 
residing there seventeen years returned to Boston. 

Children: 

1. James Holden Foster, born 27 Sept., 1816; married 17 Nov., 

1853, at Wiscasset, Me., Margaret Patterson, born 27 
March, 1828, daughter of Samuel and Polly (Merrill) 
Patterson. Lived at Washington, D. C. 

2. Sarah Gage Foster, born 9 Jan., 1819; married 16 May, 1839, 

Joseph Jefferson Bragdon. Lived at Newton Highlands, 
Mass. 

3. Susan Elizabeth Foster, born 16 May, 1821; died 23 Dec., 1836. 

4. Amelia Abigail Foster, born 21 Sept., 1825; married 24 Dec., 

1845, Alonzo F. Barnum; (2) William H. Snell of 
Newport, Maine. No issue. 

5 Esther, born 29 Dec., 1787; died 19 Feb., 1861; married at Eaton, 

N. Y., Henry Burnett, born at Warwick, Mass., died 1 July, 
1860, at Middlefield, Geauga County, Ohio. Mr. Burnett moved 
from Massachusetts to Ohio in the spring of 1820, with an ox 
team, and settled in Newbury, where he lived thirty years before 
removing to Middlefield. 

Children: 

1. Andrew Holden Burnett, born 26 March, 1821; died Oct., 
1864, at Chagrin Falls, Ohio; married 27 Feb., 1841, at Auburn, 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. Mrs. Pratt stated that Elizabeth married John T. Farwell of Fitchburg. 


228 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Ohio, Lucina Woods, born May, 1822, daughter of Willis 
and Rachel (Colvin) Woods. 

2. Caroline I. Burnett, born 28 Oct., 1823; married 26 Feb., 1845, 

at Newbury, Elisha Ames, born 30 Nov., 1823, at Claridon, 
Ohio. They lived at Painesville, Ohio. 

3. Stephen Henry Burnett, born 8 Jan., 1827; died 8 Nov., 1867, 

at Apalachicola, Florida; married April, 1850, at Mantua, 
Ohio, Diana Collins, born 1832, in Ohio, who married (2) 
-Hicox of Solon, Ohio. 

6-6 Levi, born 11 Jan., 1790; died 6 April, 1843; 1 married Mary Lincoln; 
(2) Anna McGill. 

7 Hannah, born 4 July, 1792; died about 1870 1 s.p. ; married 12 May, 

1825, at Westminster, James McIntire of Fitchburg. 

8 Abigail, born 1 Feb., 1795; married 4 May, 1820, Sherebiah 

Burnett of Newbury, Ohio, a brother of Henry Burnett. 

Child: 

1. Mary E. Burnett, married 9 Dec., 1852, Jeffrey Thomas Crafts. 

9 Mary, born 10 July, 1797; married 3 June, 1819, Jonathan 

Farnsworth of Fitchburg, and had one child. 

10 Elizabeth, born 15 March, 1800; married 11 Sept., 1823, John T. 

Farwell of Fitchburg. 1 

11 Almira, born 15 May, 1802; married 16 Aug., 1827, Nathaniel 

Wheeler of Westminster, died 19 March, 1849, aged 45. She 
married (2) Abel McIntyre of Fitchburg, brother of James 
McIntire (2622—7). 1 
Children: 

1. Mary E. Wheeler, born 19 Feb., 1829; married Stillman Eaton. 

2. Stephen Nathaniel Wheeler, born 9 April, 1834; married 

Sarah A. May. Lived in Fitchburg. 

3. James M. Wheeler, born 9 July, 1838; died. 

4. Lucy C. Wheeler, born 20 May, 1831; died 31 March, 1841. 

Stephen Holden was in the army before Boston, serving in the 
company commanded by Captain Manasseh Saw T yer, Colonel Dike's 
regiment, which was stationed at Dorchester Heights in the fall of 

1776. His enlistment expired 30 November, and he reenlisted in 
the same company and regiment 1 Dec., 1776, to serve until 1 March, 

1777. He marched from Westminster to East Hoosuck, probably 
in August, 1777, in Captain Elisha Jackson’s company, on an alarm 
at Bennington, and again under Major Bridge the next month to 
reenforce the northern army. 2 

2624 Elias ( Stephen , Joseph, Justinian ), born 28 May, 1758; 
baptized 25 June, 1758; died suddenly, 4 Feb., 1838, at Westminster. 3 
He married, 17 Jan., 1784, Olive Smith, born at Natick, died 21 
Aug., 1839, aged 76, 3 daughter of Lois Mason. 4 Elias Holden was 
a prominent member of the Universalist church. 

1 Information of Lincoln J. Holden, 1928. 2 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls, 

s Town records. 4 F. A. Holden Ms. and Heywood’s History of Westminster. 



FOURTH GENERATION 


229 


Elias Holden served in company commanded by Captain Manasseh 
Sawyer, Colonel Dike’s regiment, 14 Dec., 1776, to 1 March, 1777. 1 
Children, born at Westminster : 2 

1-1 Nathan, born 12 July, 1785; died 12 Jan., 1829, at Malden; married 
Dorcas Holt. 

2 Elizabeth, born 26 Sept., 1787; died 12 Jan., 1796. 

3-3 Asa, born 8 June, 1790; died 12 March, 1869; married Dolly 
Whitney. 

4 Elias, born 30 Sept., 1793; died 17 Oct., 1793. 

5 Olive, born 19 April, 1795; married 20 Oct., 1814, George A. 

Baker, born at Gardner, Mass., 5 Oct., 1787. 

Children, born at Gardner: 

1. George Holden Baker, born 26 Feb., 1817; married Roena 

Nichols. 

2. Willard Baker, born 15 July, 1819; 3 married Marietta Nichols; 

(2) Sarah Dustin. 

3. Roxa Baker, born 1 Nov., 1821 ; 3 married Charles Sumner 

Traverse. 

4. Sumner Baker, born 21 Oct., 1826; 3 married 30 Oct., 1845, at 

Brattleboro, Vt., Cemantha Gregory Bemis, born 14 June, 
1827, at Royalston, daughter of Nahum and Ruhamah (Pratt) 
Bemis. Lived at Gardner, Mass. 

6 Stephen, born 14 Oct., 1797; died 15 June, 1851, unmarried. 

7 Joseph, born 25 Nov., 1799; died 8 May, 1801. 

8 Rufus, born 7 May, 1804; died 3 June, 1831, at Westminster; married 

20 March, 1828, at Westminster, Mary Ann Warren, died 14 April, 
1832, aged 26 ( g.s . at Westminster), daughter of Ebenezer and 
Hepzebeth Warren of Hubbardston. 

Child: 

1. Mary Jane, died 31 July, 1846, aged 17 years. 

2625 Levi {Stephen, Joseph, Justinian ), born 2 Dec., 1762; 
married at Holden , 4 24 Dee., 1794, Hannah Knowles of Eastham, 
born 21 Aug., 1767, died 4 Sept., 1853, at Westminster. She was 
daughter of Thomas and Thankful Knowles of Holden. 

Levi Holden inherited the homestead, which he sold 13 Jan., 
1812, to Jonas Cutler of Lexington, and removed from Westminster. 
Children, born at Westminster: 4 

1 Thomas, born 30 Aug., 1796. 

2 Thankful, born 10 Nov., 1798. Her intention of marriage 19 Jan., 

1839, with Henry G. Drury was “stopped” 22 Jan., 1839. 4 

2657 Lieutenant Ezra {Abner, Joseph, Justinian), born 15 
Dec., 1764, at Westminster; died 28 Nov., 1826, at Chesterfield, 
N. H.; married 27 Nov., 1788, at Westminster, 4 Susannah Bigelow, 
born 22 Aug., 1770, at Westminster, died 21 Feb., 1798, daughter of 

i Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 3 F. A. Holden Ms . and Heywood’s History of Westminster . 

3 Gardner records. 4 Town records. 


230 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Jabez and Deborah (Knowlton) Bigelow. He married, second, 
26 April, 1799, Mrs. Elizabeth (Marean) Brigham, of Hubbardston, 
born 26 Aug., 1770, at Hubbardston, died 18 May, 1806, daughter 
of William and Sybil (Parker) Marean, widow of Asa Brigham of 
Princeton. He married, third, 14 Nov., 1809, at Springfield, Vt., 1 
Mrs. Deborah (Bigelow) Hoar of Charlestown, N. H., widow of 
Samuel Hoar, a sister of his first wife, born 2 May, 1767, died 28 
July, 1836. 2 

Lieutenant Ezra Holden built on land inherited from his father, 
but removed to Chesterfield, N. H., about 1820. He was head of a 
family in 1790, self and two females. 

Children, born at Westminster: 1 

1 Relief, born 2 March, 1789; died 2 Sept., 1875, at New Ipswich; 

married 16 May, 1811, at Westminster, Thomas Kendall, born 
13 April, 1783, at Heath, Mass., died 21 June, 1862, son of Thomas 
and Lucy (Baldwin) Kendall. 

Children, born at Westminster: 

1. Susanna Bigelow Kendall, born 2 Sept., 1814; married 15 May, 

1858, Oliver T. Leighton of New Ipswich, N. H. No 
children. 

2. Thomas Kendall, born 21 April, 1819; died 11 June, 1841. 

3. Ezra Justinian Kendall, born 18 Dec., 1825; died 19 April, 1857. 

2 Joseph, born 4 Sept., 1790; died 12 Feb., 1796. 

3 Lucy, born 14 March, 1792; living 1877 at Guy’s Mills, Pa.; married 

22 May, 1811, at Westminster, Nathan Wood, 2d, born 18 
Nov., 1787, at Westminster, died 17 Oct., 1848, son of Ahijah Wood. 
Children: 

1. Orlando Wood, born 24 March, 1812, at Westminster; living 

1877, at Fox Lake, Wis.; married 3 April, 1842, at New York, 
Harriet Rice, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Fairbanks) 
Rice. No surviving issue. 

2. Ezra Holden Wood, born 1 May, 1814, at Westminster; married 

Catherine Gamel. 

3. Elizabeth Morean Wood, born 28 Jan., 1816, at Westminster. 

4. Lucy Wood, born 11 Feb., 1819, at Winchendon. 

5. Nathan Wood, born 18 Oct., 1822, at Winchendon; married 

16 April, 1850, Melinda Adams; (2) 13 Dec., 1868, Ellen 
Adams of Waseca, Minn. 

6. Charles Frederick Wood, born 30 Aug., 1824, at Winchendon; 

married 23 April, 1850, at Fitchburg, Sarah Keyes Dole 
of Guy’s Mills, Pa. 

7. Susan Relief Wood, born 17 Oct., 1826, at Winchendon; married 

James L. Wilder. Lived at Warren, Penn. 

8. Sarah Elizabeth Wood, born 5 Dec., 1829, at Morean, N. Y.; 

married Horace W. Noble. 

1 Town records. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms. in which it is stated that the information relating to this family was gleaned 
from the records of Springfield, Vt., Charlestown, N. H., Westminster, Mass., and an old Ms. in possession 
of the family. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


231 


9. Jane Augusta Wood, born 19 April, 1833, at Morean. 

10. Angeline Wood, born 1 Feb., 1835, at Morean; married 2 March, 
1865, Erastus Lewis Pinley of Morean. She was living 
at Erie, Penn., 1877. 

4 Ezra, born 10 Oct., 1793; died 9 Oct., 1801. 

5 Susannah, born 19 June, 1795; died same day. 

6 Susannah, born 3 Oct., 1796; died 12 April, 1873, at Lockport, N. Y. 

By second marriage: 

7- 7 Joseph, born 16 July, 1800, at Westminster; died 24 Dec., 1868; 

married Olivia Daniels; (2) Susan Brown. 

8- 8 Justinian, born 2 July, 1802; died 18 March, 1858; married Lucy 

Marean; (2) Charlotte Marean. 

9- 9 Ezra Shattuck, born 17 Dec., 1810; died 1 April, 1867; married 

Elizabeth Davis. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


12221 Captain John {James, James, Justinian, Richard), born 
4 March, 1736-7; died 9 Feb., 1818, 1 .aged 81, 2 buried at Mendon, 
Mass., where his gravestone stands; married 17 Dec., 1761, Margery 
Amidon, 1 of Mendon, born 4 Oct., 1737, died 4 Jan., 1783, 1 daughter 
of Ichabod and Mary (Aldrich) Amidon. 3 He married, second, 
28 April, 1783, 1 Mrs. Dolly Aldrich, widow of Benjamin Aldrich 
of Mendon. 3 
Children: 3 

1-1 Samuel, born 26 July, 1762 (1763 1 ); died 20 April, 1838; married 
Betsy Wells. 

2 Susannah, born 23 May, 1765; died 29 April, 1826, at Randolph, 
Vt.; 4 married 7 Feb., 1788, at Brooklyn, Conn., Richard Kimball, 
born 21 Aug., 1762, at Pomfret, Conn., died 23 Nov., 1828, at 
Randolph, son of John and Jerusha (Meacham) Kimball. 4 
Children : 4 

1. Emma Kimball, born 27 Nov., 1788; died 28 Jan., 1789. 

2. Susanna Kimball, born 27 March, 1790; died 1 Oct., 1791. 

3. Richard Kimball, born 29 May, 1791; died 13 Aug., 1791. 

4. David Kimball, born 20 Sept., 1792; died 1 June, 1793. 

5. Adam Kimball, born 20 Jan., 1794; died 20 Jan., 1794. 

6. David Kimball, born 2 April, 1795; died same day. 

7. John Holden Kimball, born 1 May, 1796 ; died 5 Aug., 1873; 

married 11 June, 1828, Catherine Williams. Lived in 
Vermont. 

8. Jared Kimball, born 2 April, 1798; died 22 Aug., 1803. 

9. Susanna Kimball, born 1 April, 1801. 

10. Harriet Kimball, born 19 Dec., 1801 {sic); died 11 Sept., 1803. 

11. Hiram Kimball, born 18 Dec., 1803; died 23 April, 1865, at 

Burnett, Vt.; married 24 Oct., 1833, Jerusha Bradish. 
Children born in Randolph. 

12. Lloyd Kimball, born 16 Oct., 1805; died 21 March, 1865, at 

Mclndoes Falls, Vt.; married 26 May, 1831, Lois Griswold. 
Lived at Barnet and Mclndoes Falls. 

13. Aveline Kimball, born 23 June, 1807; died 5 May, 1887, at 

Syracuse, N. Y.; married 23 July, 1813, William Beer. 
Lived at Syracuse. 

14. Melora Kimball, born 6 May, 1810; died 1) Nov., 1884, at 

Vinland, N. J.; married 14 Nov., 1833, Jonathan Hobart. 
3-3 James, born 1 June, 1767; died Aug., 1820; married Alice Metcalf. 

1 Town Clerk's letter, 1917, other dates agree with the F. H. Holden Ms. 

2 Death notice, “a worthy of the Revolution.” 3 F. A. Holden Ms. 

4 Kimball Gtnealogy, by Morrison and Sharpies, where descendants may be found. 

233 


234 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


4 William, born 24 April, 1769; died unm. Removed to Tioga Co., Penn. 1 

5 Hannah, born 12 April, 1771; married John Belden. They re¬ 

moved to Livonia, Livingston Co., N. Y. 

6- 6 John, born 29 April, 1773; died 29 July, 1864; married Abigail 

Merrick. 

7- 7 Amasa, born 26 July, 1775; died Nov., 1853; married Abigail Eaton. 

8- 8 Ichabod Amidon, born 13 Dec., 1779; died 22 April, 1846; mar¬ 

ried Elizabeth Beatty. 

9 Margery Amidon, born 13 Oct., 1782; died unmarried, at 
Randolph. 

By second marriage: 

10 Betsey, born 26 Feb., 1784. 2 

11 Jabez, born 20 April, 1786; married 24 Oct., 1818, at Cumberland, 

R. I. (described as of Providence, son of the late John Holden 
of Mendon), Molly Lapham, born 1 March, 1800, daughter of 
Abner and Amey (Tower) Lapham, of Cumberland. 3 

John Holden served in the Colonial forces in 1755-1760, and in 
the American Revolution. 

John Holden of Mendon enlisted 1 May, 1755, in company com¬ 
manded by Captain Ephraim Doolittle, in the expedition against 
Crown Point, and served until 11 December. His travel was allowed 
from Albany home. He was in the service the following year, having 
enlisted prior to 15 April, and had joined the forces moving against 
Crown Point prior to July 21. He was at Camp \Y illiam Henry 28 
August, at which time his descriptive list states he was aged 19 years, 
born in Sutton and a resident of Mendon. On 11 October, he was 
reported “sick.” He was a member of company commanded by 
Captain-Lieutenant Nathan Tyler, in Lieutenant-Colonel Thwing’s 
regiment. 

He again enlisted in 1757 and marched from Mendon to Westfield, 
16 August. This tour of duty was on an alarm, and was but fourteen 
days; he was a corporal in company commanded by Captain Phinehas 
Lovett, Colonel Abraham Williams’ regiment. He was an apprentice 
of Nathaniel Tyler, Esq., and was allowed for forage for his horse. 
He again enlisted 29 March, 1758, in Captain Nathan Tyler's com¬ 
pany, Colonel William Williams’ regiment, and served to the “west¬ 
ward.” The next year he enlisted 26 March in the same regiment, 
raised for the invasion of Canada, and served until 3 Dec., 1759, 
as sergeant in company commanded by Captain John Furnass. 

1 There was a William Holden, said to have come from the Hudson River Valley, who was the first white 
settler at Osceola, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. He was said to have been born in 1772, and he died 
unmarried. The stream on which he built his log cabin is known as Holden Brook. Tradition surrounds 
him with more or less romance. In late life a married sister and brother visited him and vainly attempted 
to persuade him to return to his former home. (Information of Charles Tubbs, president of Tioga Co. 
Hist. Soc.) 

* She is said by F. A. Holden to have married Richard Kimball of Charlestown, N. H., but the date of 
marriage given is that of Richard Kimball and Betsey Allen, whose birth appears in the History of Charlestown. 

3 Cumberland records. He may be that Jabez Holden who married at Pawtucket, R. I., 14 Oct., 1826, 
Mary Phillips. ( Rhode Island. American.) Jabez and Betsey are mentioned in a letter written by Ichabod 
to the grandfather of A. A. Holden of Hillsboro, N. H. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


235 


He enlisted 20 March, 1760, in Colonel John Chandler’s regiment, 
and was mustered in 25 April, in company commanded by Captain 
Jonathan Shores, in which he served as sergeant until 3 December. 
Captain Shores was succeeded by Captain Daniel Reed 15 August. 
One hundred and twenty miles travel home was allowed. 1 

John Holden of Mendon, Adjutant of the 7th Worcester County 
regiment, Colonel Wheelock, 19 April ? 1775, served nine days at 
Cambridge and Roxbury. He was Adjutant of Colonel Joseph Read’s 
regiment at Roxbury, May, 1775. He served from 24 April to 1 Aug., 
1775, in Read’s regiment. He continued in the army. From 1 Jan., 
1777, to 31 Dec., 1779, he was attached to Colonel Thomas Nixon’s 
Continental regiment; 26 months as lieutenant, and as captain from 
10 March, 1779. He continued in the service until 13 April, 1780. 
He signed an order at Mendon as late captain, 6th Massachusetts 
regiment, for ration allowance due him 28 February, 1784. 


12231 Jeduthan ( Daniel , James , Justinian , Richard ), born 
4 March, 1738-9, at Leicester; died perhaps at Orange, later than 
1790; married 3 Dec., 1766, at Barre, Hannah Hayward, 2 probably 
daughter of Charles and Abigail (Hubbard) Haywood, born at 

Rutland. 

Children : 3 

1 Mary (Patty), baptized 2 Aug., 1768; married John Walker and 
removed to Vermont. 

Children: 4 

1. Artemas Walker. 

2. Polly Walker. 

3. David Walker. 

4. Hannah Walker, married - Cobb. 

5. Sophine Walker. 

2-2 Samuel, baptized 6 Aug., 1769; married Sybil Johnson. 

3 Lydia, baptized 7 Jan., 1772. 

4- 4 Reuben, baptized 9 Oct., 1774; married Betsey Babcock. 

5- 5 David, baptized 16 May, 1779; died 1826; married Milly Cheney. 

6 Moses, baptized 23 Feb., 1777; died young. 

7 Lucy, born 1778; married - French, and moved to Potsdam, 

N. Y. Both were deceased in 1867. 4 

8 Elizabeth, born 1780; living 1867; married Dexter Davis, wdio 

died about 1855; (2) - Smith. Of Corning, N. Y. 4 

Children : 4 _ v 

1. Nelson Davis. 

2. Linville Davis. 


i Massachusetts Archives, 94:51, 170, 275, 326, 456; 95:545; 96:331; 97:18, 95, 348; 98:195, 325. 

* R° \V. Holden Ms. F. A. Holden gave the children of Jeduthan as follows: Patty, born 1771; Samuel, 
1774; David, 1776; Lucy, 1778; Elizabeth, 1780; Moses, 1782; Daniel, 1784; Reuben, 1789. W ith exception 
of date of birth of Daniel, it is supposed that these birth dates were estimates. The names were probably 
recovered from grandsons about 1867. 

4 F. A Holden Ms. 





236 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


3. Elizabeth Davis, died about a year after marriage to- 

Stewart. 

9-9 Moses, born 4 June, 1782; died 28 Feb., 1871; married Sarah 
Dunton; (2) Caroline Archer. 

J— 10 Daniel, born 7 Sept., 1784; died 4 Sept., 1830; married Lydia 
Lounsbery. 

The census of 1790 enumerated Jeduthan Holden at Orange, 
head of family consisting of self, another male over sixteen, three 
under sixteen, and one female. There is no mention of his buying 
or selling land in Worcester or Berkshire counties, nor settlement of 
his estate. 

He chose John Chandler of Worcester his guardian 30 April, 1775 
and 10 Aug., 1757, was impressed as a soldier for relief of Fort William 
Henry, and marched to Sheffield, in company of Captain John Carter, 
Colonel John Chandler's regiment. He served sixteen days. He 
enlisted from Rutland, 18 Nov., 1761, and served until 1 July, 1762, 
in company of Captain Silas Brown. He reenlisted 1 July and served 
until 12 Nov., 1762, in company of Captain Gideon Parker. He 
appears also to have had other service, for we find a man listed as 
Jede r and as Jada 11 credited with service as corporal in company of 
Captain Thomas Cowdin, 20 June to 2 Dec., 1760, and 5 May to 
17 Nov., 1761, the residence of the soldier in the last enlistment 
being given as Rutland. 1 

He also served in the Revolution, being then of Barre, and his 
residence given sometimes as of Hutchinson (Barre) and of Rutland. 
He enlisted 20 April, 1775, was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and still 
in the service last of October, and probably until the last of the year. 
He reenlisted 1 Oct., 1776, and served until 1 Dec., 1776, at Ticon- 
deroga. He again enlisted, for duration of war, in Sprout's regiment 
of Continentals, and was at Valley Forge. He was on furlough 
28 Jan., 1778. 2 

12234 Daniel ( Daniel , James , Justinian , Richard ), born 
probably in 1745, it is said at Barre, Mass.; died 12 Jan., 1811, at 
Charlton; married, as “of Leicester,” 20 Aug., 1766, Jemima Tucker, 3 
died 23 Jan., 1786, 3 daughter of Jeremiah and Joanna Tucker . 4 
She was admitted to church at Shrewsbury, 1780. He married, 
second, 25 Dec., 1788, at Shrewsbury , 3 Dorothy Johnson, born 
12 March, 1752, died 12 July, 1848, at Shrewsbury , 3 daughter of 
Daniel and Sarah (Holland) Johnson. 

Children, born at Shrewsbury : 3 

1 Daniel, born 4 July, 1769; died 5 Sept., 1770. 

2-2 Jonah, born 16 Nov., 1770; married Nabby M. Wales. 

I ^ rc h* ves > 95:495; 99:18, 113, 185, 206. Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls 

8 Town records. * F. A. Holden Ms. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


237 


3- 3 Daniel, born 24 Oct., 1773; died 9 May, 1851; married Lydia 

Shottenkirk; (2) Margaret Pratt. 

4- 4 Amasa, born 1775; died 1868 “aged 93”; married Abigail Pratt. 

5- 5 Life, born 23 June, 1783; died 25 Feb., 1844; married Abigail 

Hearsey. 

By second marriage; 

6 Rufus Johnson, born 23 June, 1789. 

Daniel Holden early settled in Shrewsbury. He was a cabinet 
maker. He marched on the Lexington Alarm in Captain Job Cushing’s 
company from Shrewsbury; enlisted for eight months, 28 April, 
1775, and was in the service in November. The following year he 
enlisted in June, and returned in November, having served in company 
commanded by Captain Seth Newton, stationed part of the time 
on the North River, New York. He responded to alarms, and served 
at Bennington in a company commanded by Captain Asa Rice, and 
also in 1777 in company commanded by Captain Jonathan Wright. 
In 1781 he enlisted in the Continental line for nine months, was 
then aged thirty-two years, was five feet eight inches in height and 
of light complexion. He served on the Hudson for three months, 
and part of the time was stationed at West Point. 1 

The census of 1790 enumerated him at Shrewsbury, at head of 
family consisting of self, two other males over sixteen, two under 
sixteen and one female. 

It is said that he sympathized with the followers of Daniel Shays, 
and that lead stolen from the town magazine was for a time hidden 
in his barn; but that later he changed his opinions and was instrumental 
in electing an anti-Shays Deputy to the General Court in May, 1792, 
which led the opposing faction to make charges against him, of which 
he was acquitted on trial. 2 He then removed to Charlton. 

12237 Nathan ( Daniel , James , Justinian , Richard ), born 12 
May, 1751, at Worcester; died 25 June, 1806, at Hubbardston;' 
married 3 Sept., 1779, at Rutland, Experience Clark, (“both of 
Hubbardston “), who died 1 Oct., 1790, at Hubbardston, described as 
“wife of Nathan Holden,” daughter of Captain John and Elizabeth 
(Norcross) Clark. Fie married, second, 21 June, 1791, at Hubbardston, 
Prudence Alden, 3 who married 12 March, 1808, at Barre, Nathaniel 
Gates. 3 

Administration on the estate of Nathan Holden was granted 30 
June, 1806, to Isaac Clark, on request of the widow “Prude” Holden, 
setting forth that Lewis was the only heir of age. 1 

1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls and affidavits in pension application, November, 1839, of widow 
Dorothy, where date of marriage and date of death appear. 2 History of Shrewsbury, Mass. 

3 Town records. R. O. Holden asserts the gravestone reads 30 Jan., 1806. 

4 The fact of the two marriages of Nathan Holden is proven by the records. The widow who asked tor 
appointment of Isaac Clark, the brother of the first wife as administrator, signed her name “Prude,” and 


238 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children, born at Hubbardston : l 

1 A son, born 29 March, 1780; died young. 

2 Fanny, born 7 May, 1781; died 26 May, 1847; married 22 April, 

1805, Samuel Clark (her cousin), born 25 Sept., 1778, died 4 
May, 1854, at Chester, Vt., son of Lieutenant Samuel and Mary 
(Stone) Clark. 2 

3 Lewis, born 29 March, 1783; died 12 Dec., 1849; unmarried. 3 

4-4 Nathan, born 1 June. 1786; died 7 March, 1838; married Experience 
Clark. 

5 Sally, born 11 Nov., 1788; died 4 Dec., 1788. 

By second marriage: 

6- 6 Amasa, born 28 Jan., 1792; married Achsaii —. 

7- 7 Ethan, born 7 Feb., 1794; married Phebe Harwood. 

8- 8 Jonah, born 19 May, 1796; married Sarah Ware. 

9 Melinda, born 8 Sept., 1798; died 14 Sept., 1800. 

10 Caty, born 14 Nov., 1800. 

11 Loretta, born 31 March, 1803. 

L-12 Artemas Goodnow, born 22 March, 1805; died 17 Sept., 1889; 
married Rachel B. Thompson. 

Nathan Holden was enumerated at Hubbardston in 1790, head 
of a family consisting of self, two males under sixteen, and three 
females. It is claimed that Nathan Holden served in the Revolution, 
and that he of that name, “of Shrewsbury" who was in the army 
in 1775, was this man. As the service records of Nathan and his 
cousin are difficult to separate, the entire record applicable to either 
will be found under Nathan 12256. 

12238 James ( Daniel , James , Justinian , Richard ), born 15 
Feb., 1756, at Leicester, Mass.; died 24 June, 4 1839, 5 at Batavia, 
N. Y.; married in 1774 4 probably at Adams, Mass., Eunice Hinman, 
born June, 1755, 6 died 6 June, 1834, in her eightieth year, 4 daughter 
of Reuben and Mary (Downes) Hinman. 4 Reuben Hinman was 
one of the early settlers at Adams, being there prior to the Revolution. 
Children : 7 

1 James, born 1 Nov., 1775; died 26 April, 1859, at Alden, in Ill.; married 
17 July, 1813, at Batavia, Lucinda Badger, who was aged seventy- 
eight years in April, 1871, when she applied for a pension. She was 
of Alden, and sister of Austin Badger of Medina, Ohio. James 
Holden enlisted as a “minuteman” in Sept., 1812, and was dis- 

this has been read “Peade, ” which is the name by which the daughter Experience was called, and probably 
her mother. The widow’s second marriage at Barre is recorded under the name Pruda. The correspondent 
of F. A. Holden, about 1867-70, apparently knew of this second marriage, and of the removal of her family 
to Vermont. 

1 Town records. R. O. Holden asserts the gravestone reads 30 Jan., 1806. 

2 Descendants of Hugh Clark, p. 51. * Worcester Probate. 

4 Information probably of Miss Hannah Louise Holden, evidently obtained from a family Bible record. 
8 Information of Amasa Holden, who supplied information to F. A. Holden. 
e F. A. Holden Ms. 

7 “The above twelve children lived to an average age of 76 years.” Note in F. A. Holden Ms., information 
probably of Amasa Holden. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


239 


charged at Buffalo, 17 Sept., 1814, but as active service was not 
shown the widow’s application was rejected. 

2 Rachel, born 11 July, 1777; died 18 Sept., 1858, in New York State. 

3 Paulina, born 15 Feb., 1779; died 28 July, 1858, in New York State. 

4 Levi, born 17 Dec., 1780; died 28 Jan., 1867, in Michigan. 

5 Ira, born 9 Feb., 1782; died 1834 in Canada. In 1810 there was an 

Ira Holden enumerated in Canandaigua Village, Ontario Co., 
N. V., head of family of self, between twenty-six and forty-five, 
another male of same age, one female ditto, one male and one female 
under ten years. 

6 — 6 Lorton, born 25 May, 1785; died 5 Feb., 1857; married Betsey 

Gibson. 

7 — 7 Hinman, born 30 Jan., 1787; died 18 July, 1871; married Tryphena 

Stewart. 

8 Electa, born 25 Oct., 1789; died 18 Oct., 1858, in Michigan; married 
Russell Dickinson. 1 
Child: 2 

1. Delia C. Dickinson, married Robert Haney. Their daughter 
Mary Cordelia Haney, married James G. Flanders. 

9-9 Frederick, born 17 Dec., 1790; died 4 April, 1868; married Isbel 
Redpath. 

10 Stacy Horner, born 9 Aug., 1792; died 12 June, 1865, in Illinois. 
He and wife Phebe sold land in Batavia 1843. 

K-ll Samuel Cotten, born 8 Aug., 1794; died 25 Nov., 1880; married 
Delia Towner. 

12 Lemont, born 20 Dec., 1797; died 16 March, 1872, in Michigan. 
He was of Batavia and Pembroke, Genesee Co., N. Y., 1835-1841, 
and in 1840 and 1841 his wife Lydia joins in selling land. 

James Holden was of Adams at the commencement of the American 
Revolution. After the war he appears to have settled at Lee, and 
in 1802 was one of the proprietors of land at Batavia in New York. 
His military service is given as follows: 

Enlisted 22 April, 1775; discharged 5 May, Captain Sloan’s com¬ 
pany, 26th regiment (Colonel Patterson). He immediately reenlisted 
the same day, and was in the service in Patterson’s regiment in 
August. He signed the “Coat Roll,” 29 October, 1775. 3 

In 1832 James Holden applied for a pension and made declaration 
of his service as follows: 4 

16 Oct., 1832, appeared before the judges of the Court of Common 
Pleas of the County of Genesee, James Holden, a resident of Batavia, 
aged seventy-six years. 

He entered the service in the fore part of April, 1775, at Adams, 
Mass., where he then resided, in a regiment of militia under Colonel 
Patterson, in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Sloan, 

1 F. A. Holden states she married Ezekiel How of Sudbury. 

2 R. W. Holden Ms., information probably from Mrs. M. C. Flanders. 

5 Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolution. 

* Records in Pension Bureau. 


240 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


as a volunteer and private and continued in said service until some 
time in January, 1776. He marched from Adams to Cambridge, near 
Boston, and was stationed at Charlestown until he was discharged. 
While he was at this place the battle of Bunker Hill took place, but 
he was not in it, although he was so near the scene of action that he 
could see it distinctly. The regiment to which he belonged was 
stationed at Charlestown to guard the place. While stationed at 
this place the British made an attack on a picket guard of the 
Americans stationed at Lechmere's Point; a warm skirmish ensued 
in which he participated, and in which the British were repulsed. 
During his service under this engagement he frequently saw General 
Washington, General Putnam and General Greene. 

In July, 1776, he again enlisted, at Adams, in a company of militia 
commanded by Captain William White, as a volunteer and continued 
in said service at least six weeks. His discharge was a verbal one. 
The company was raised to go to Otter Creek in Vermont to protect 
the frontier against the British, Indians and Tories. The company 
to which he belonged was all that accompanied him from Adams 
on this expedition. He marched from Adams to Otter Creek, thence 
to Castleton in Vermont. He marched through Bennington, at 
which place the company to which he belonged joined the regiment 
under Colonel Seth Warner under whose command he continued 
until discharged. He was acquainted with the said Warner and 
Captain Hutchings of the regular army. 

In July, 1777, he again enlisted as a volunteer at Adams in a 
company commanded by Captain William White, raised to go to 
Skeensborough, New Y 7 ork, to guard the place against the British, 
Tories and Indians. He was out in said service on this expedition 
about four weeks. The expedition was made upon a sudden alarm 
given out that the British, Indians and Tories were about to attack 
and burn that place. 

A short time previous to Bennington Battle he again entered said 
service as a volunteer at Adams, in a company of militia commanded 
by Captain Brown, and continued in service under this engagement 
at least three months. He marched from Adams to Williamstown, 
thence to Bennington where he joined the regiment under Colonel 
Seth Fenick and where a battle ensued between the British and 
American troops, called Bennington Battle, in which the said Holden 
took part. From Bennington to Stillwater in New York, where he 
was stationed at the time of the surrender of General Burgoyne and 
where he remained until his discharge from service. 

He stood as a minute man during the whole of the war. He was 
out in said service a number of times besides those aforesaid, the 
particular periods of which or the names of the officers under whom 
he served, he cannot state. He is confident he was actually employed 


FIFTH GENERATION 


241 


in said service during the war under different engagements at least 
two years. 

He was born at Berry, Mass., on the fifteenth day of February, 
1/56. He has a record of his age in his Bible at his place of residence 
in Batavia. At the close of the war he resided at Adams and after 
the war, about eight years. Thence he moved to Springfield, Otsego 
County, N. Y., where he resided about fourteen years. From this 
place he moved to Batavia, N. \ ., where he has since resided, about 
twenty-six years. In the campaign at the capture of Burgoyne he 
served with the regiment under Colonel Warner: saw Generals Gates 
and Arnold and Colonel Warner. He served with the corps under 
their command. He never received but one written discharge from 
service, that was from Colonel Patterson and is lost. The rest were 
verbal. He is known to William Keyes, Phinehas L. Tracy, Lucius 
Smith and Ethan B. Allen, residents in his present neighborhood, 
who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of 
his services as a soldier of the Revolution.” 

From the above statements it appears that James Holden per¬ 
formed military duty other than the extant rolls show. He was at 
the battle of Bennington, 17 Aug., 1777, and remained in the service 
until Burgoyne surrendered in October. 

The Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls credit him with a tour 
of duty he does not mention in his declaration: 

“Private in Captain Levi Brown’s company, Colonel Asa Barnes’s 
Berkshire regiment; enlisted 30 Oct., 1781; discharged 7 November; 
detached for service on alarm of 30 Oct., 1781, and joined army under 
General Stark at Saratoga.” 

James Holden of Canjoharie town, N. Y., w T as enumerated in the 
census of 1790, as head of a family consisting of self, five males 
under sixteen years, and four females. In 1810, James of Batavia, 
over forty-five years, had in his family two males between ten and 
sixteen years, three between sixteen and twenty-six, one female 
over forty-five and one between sixteen and twenty-six. 

12251 Benjamin ( Josiah , James , Justinian , Richard ), born 
9 Jan., 1748-9, at Worcester; died 20 Sept., 1783, 1 at Barre, Mass.; 
married 1 Nov., 1770 2 at Barre, Abigail Bacon, 3 born Jan., 1753, 
living 1837, daughter of Ephraim and Mary (Brown) Bacon. Admin¬ 
istration was granted on his estate, which consisted wholly of per¬ 
sonalty and not large, 24 March, 1784, to Thaddeus Partridge, the 
wddow, Abigail, declining. 

Children : 3 

1 Joel, born 1771, baptized 28 April; 2 died 9 May, 1772. 2 

1 Probate records at Worcester. He died intestate. 

2 Town or church records; death dates from family sources. 

3 Certificate of town clerk, 1837, pension case; except the eldest child. 


242 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


2-2 John, born 10 July, 1772; died 11 March, 1856; married Abigail 
Chipman. 

3 Lucy, born 21 March, 1774; married 28 Nov., 1793, 1 Abijah Men- 
dell, son of Benjamin and Abigail (Bacon) Mendell. They removed 
to Canada, thence to Rising Sun, Ind. 

4- 4 Eli, born 22 Nov., 1775; died 1842; married Hannah Pearson. 

5- 5 Josiah, born 10 March, 1778; died March, 1849; married Hannah 

Smith. 

6- 6 Jesse, born 21 Aug., 1779; died 9 May, 1845; married Lucy 

Pearson. 

7- 7 Joel, born 24 May, 1781; married Lois Pearson. 

8- 8 Jonas, born 24 Feb., 1783; died 8 July, 1862; married Eliza Holden 

(12254-4); (2) Lusebia Atherton. 

Benjamin Holden enlisted 20 April, 1775, in Captain John Black’s 
company (in which Aaron Holden, later captain, was sergeant), 
Colonel Jonathan Brewer’s regiment, and was in the service as late 
as October 26. He reenlisted 2 Sept., 1776 in company commanded 
by Captain Aaron Haynes (Aaron Holden was lieutenant), Colonel 
Asa Whitcomb’s regiment, and was at Ticonderoga 1 Dec., 1776. 
Later rolls are missing. We learn from the pension declaration of 
his widow, Abigail, 4 April, 1837, when her memory was somew T hat 
dimmed, that during his first enlistment he was a part of the time 
stationed at the college in Cambridge, and was in the battle of 
Bunker Hill, and that he served out the full term of his enlistment, 
which was probably for eight months. She also stated that he returned 
home from Ticonderoga ill, after having served about five months. 
She further stated that he w r as a member of the minute men com¬ 
pany before the opening of hostilities, and marched on the Lexington 
Alarm, but the company failed to reach the scene of the battle until 
after the British had retired, and that he enlisted the last of April in 
Captain Aaron Holden’s company, Colonel Buckminster’s regiment. 2 
He also served as corporal in Captain Benjamin Nye’s company, 
Sparhawk’s regiment, 21 to 25 Aug., 1777, on call for re enforcements 
for Stark at Bennington. 

Several papers are filed in the pension case, among them the 
affidavit of Tilly Mead, for whom, according to the statement of 
Peter Fessenden (of Barre, aged 75), Abigail had kept house for 
twenty years. Eli Holden, aged 61, of Barre, Vt., stated that he w r as 
present at his father’s death, and that he copied the date from the 
record in his mother’s Bible. 

1 Town or church records: death dates from family sources. 

1 Aaron Holden at this time was sergeant in Captain John Black’s company in Colonel Jonathan Brewer’s 
regiment. Benjamin Holden’s name is on the muster roll of that company, 1 August, and he signed the 
coat roll 26 October. Aaron Holden was lieutenant in Haynes’ company, Whitcomb’s regiment, in which 
company Benjamin enlisted 2 Sept., 1776, and his name is on a roll of the company dated at Ticonderoga, 

1 Dec., 1776. Josiah Bacon, aged 83,of Barre, certified he enlisted in the same company and that Benjamin 
Holden served under Captain Aaron Holden about five months. Depositions of aged people often are in 
error in some details. Peter Fessenden of Barre, aged 75, deposed he remembered Holden marching with 
the minute men under Captain Buckminster “to the battle of Bunker Hill.” 


FIFTH GENERATION 


243 


12252. James ( Josiah, James, Justinian, Richard), born 9 (20) 1 
June, 1750, at Worcester, Mass. 2 died 12 Sept., 1827, at Barre; married 
12 Nov., 1772, at Barre, Mass., 2 Hannah Bacon, born Oct., 1748, 
died 7 April, 1836, daughter of Ephraim and Mary (Brown) Bacon, 3 
sister to his brother Benjamin's wife. Barre records record the death 
of Widow Hannah Holden 6 April, 1836, aged 82 years. 

Children, born at Barre: 2 

1-1 James, bom 1 Jan., 1774; died 7 April, 1856; married Ruth Randall. 

2 Lydia, born 30 June, 1775; married 31 Dec. 1795, Rufus Rice of 

Barre, born 16 March, 1772, died 3 Dec., 1847, at Grafton, Vt. 
Children born at Grafton: 4 

1. Ira Rice, d.y. 

2. Rufus Rice, married Lucinda Palmer. 

3. Levi Rice. 

4. Lydia Rice, married William Denn; (2) Nathan Zuel. 

5. Louisa Rice, d.v. 

3 Abigail, born 5 April, 1777; married 11 Feb., 1800, Amherst Morse 

of Newfane, Vt. 

4 Hannah, born 25(280 Sept., 1782; married 12 Jan., 1804, James 

Park of Grafton, Vt. 

5 Arethusia, born 8 Jan., 1785; married 29 Oct., 1807, John White, Jr. 

Children: 5 

1. Lorenzo White, born 1808. 

2. Eliza White, born 1809. 

3. John White, born 1811. 

4. Ira White, born 1813. 

5. Silas White, born 1815. 

6. James White, born 1817. 

7. Mary White, born 1821. 

8. Warren White, born 1826. 

6 Beulah, (Rebecca) 1 , born 21 (20) 1 April, 1787; married 12 Dec., 

1811, at Barre, Samuel Sibley, Jr. 

Children, 5 born at Barre: 2 

1. James Holden Sibley, born 27 July, 1813. 

2. Harriet Augusta Sibley, born 1 March, 1817. 

3. Samuel Leland Sibley, born 13 Jan., 1827. 

7-7 Justus, born 23 Aug., 1788 (Justice, born 23 Aug., 1789) 1 ; died 
20 March, 1828; married Betsey Minott. 

8 Mary, born 17 May, 1792; died 17 Dec., 1860; married 28 June, 

1836, Lambert Wheelock. 

9 Elizabeth, born 7 Dec., 1794; died 5 Aug., 1825, s . p . 

10 Josiah Bacon, born 23 Dec., 1798, baptized 3 Feb., 1799; died at 
age of 2 years, 5 months. 

James Holden enlisted 26 Sept., 1777, in Captain Benjamin Nye’s 
company, which marched under Major Jonas Wilder to reenforce 

1 Family record as received from Alfred Holden, who has the family Bible of James Holden. 

2 Town records. 3 F. A. Holden Ms., whence this family record is principally taken. 

4 Rice Family Genealogy, pp. 131, 215, quoted by F. A. Holden. 5 R. W. Holden Ms. 


244 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


the Northern Army. He was discharged 18 Oct., 1777. He enlisted 
to the credit of Littleton for six months, July, 1780, and is described 
as thirty years of age, five feet, seven inches tall, of light complexion. 
He was at Camp Totoway in October and was discharged 6 Dec., 
1780. 1 He was enumerated at Barre, 1790, having the family given 
above to and including the seventh child. 

12253 Jo si ah ( Josiah , James , Justinian , Richard), born 30 Sept., 2 
1751, at Worcester; died 29 June, 1829 (aged 77 years, 8 months, 
5 days, g.s.) at Newfane, Vt.; married 20 Jan., 1779, at Barre, 2 
Mary Forbes. He is said to have married, second, 29 Jan., 1799, 
Hannah Smith, 3 who in 1810 was more than forty-five years of age, 
but if so he married again, as the administrators of his estate were his 
widow Mary and son Josiah F. 

Children, 4 probably at Newfane: 

1-1 Josiah Forbes, born 1783; married Patty Taylor; (2) Hannah 

Barber; (3) Mary H. Maynard. 

2 Caldwell (Colwell), died 1813 “at Newfane, son of Deacon Josiah 

Holden, aged 27 years, a young man of very steady habits and great 

industry.” 5 His father was appointed administrator of his estate, 

Jan., 1813. 

3 Stephen, married - Shields. Not named or represented in 

distribution of his father’s estate in 1830. 

4-4 Lyman, born 10 Jan., 1791 (9 Dec., 1790 2 ), at Newfane; died 17 May, 

1878; married Dulcenia E. Jackson. 

5 Polly, died prior to Aug., 1830; married 8 Jan., 1812, 2 at Newfane, 

Nahum Houghton of Newfane. 

Children: 

1. Martha Houghton. 

2. Mary Houghton. 

6 Patty, born 1801; married 28 Dec., 1841, 2 at Newfane, Lewis 

Shumway of Jamaica, Yt., who was aged 74 years in 1850. 6 

Josiah Holden had sixty-eight acres set off to him in the northern 
part of his father’s farm in Barre. After the Revolution he removed 
to Vermont. He may have been that Josiah Holden who marched 
28 July, 1777, on the Bennington Alarm, a member of company com¬ 
manded by Captain Stockwell, in Colonel Cushing's regiment, but 
most of that company were Shrewsbury men. He was one of the 
early settlers of Newfane, and the census of 1790 enumerated his 
family as himself, four males under sixteen and four females. In 

1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

2 Town records. 

8 Information of Alfred Holden of Barre. 

4 F. A. Holden Ms., confirmed by Mrs. Emogene (Holden) White, 1912, but Caldwell does not appear 
on either list. There is a probability there was another daughter, possibly another son, both of whom 
probably died at an early age. 

6 Boston Daily Advertiser, 5 May, 1813. 

* Vermont census, 1850. Quincy Shumway, aged 15, and Elizabeth A. Holden, “born in Vermont,” 
completed his family. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


245 


1810 his family consisted of himself, three males between sixteen and 
twenty-six, one female under ten, and two between sixteen and 
twenty-six, and one over forty-five years. Distribution of his estate 
in 1830, and that of his widow’s dower, 28 April, 1842, was to Josiah F. 
and Lyman, daughter Patty Shumway, and Martha and Mary 
Houghton, heirs of deceased daughter Polly. 

* 

12254 Moses ( Josiah , Janies , Justinian , Richard), born 9 July, 
1753, at Barre, Mass.; died 11 Feb., 1831 at Barre (2 Feb., 1831, 
aged 77 years, 6 months, g.s.); married 7 May, 1778, at Barre, Sarah 
Perry, born 18 Feb., 1758, died 21 Sept., 1842 (aged 84 years, 7 
months, g.s.) ; daughter of Seth and Mercy (Haskell) Perry. 
Children, 1 born at Barre: 

1 Child, born 20 April, died 22 April, 1779. 

2-2 Freeman, born 14 June, 1780; died 1 June, 1868; married Matilda 

Hull. 

3 Sarah, born 1 Dec., 1781; died 9 March, 1795. 

4 Eliza, born 18 Feb., 1784; died 22 Feb., 1822; married Jonas 

Holden (12251-8). 

5 Moses, born 29 March, 1786; died 17 March, 1795. 

6 Josiah, born 24 July, 1788; died 13 March, 1795. 

7 Mercy, born 1 Dec., 1790; died 12 May, 1880, at Cambridge; 2 

married 19 Oct., 1809, at Barre, Jeremiah Wetherbee, born 
31 Dec., 1779, at Rindge, N. H., died 24 Aug., 1863, at Cambridge, 
son of John and Susannah (Page) Wetherbee. She was his second 
wife. He was a stonemason. 

Children: 

1. Sarah Holden Wetherbee, born 27 July, 1810; died 27 March, 

1881, at Wellesley Hills; married 19 Aug., 1833, William 
Henshaw, born 27 July, 1810, at Cambridge, died 25 Aug., 
1891, at Wellesley Hills, son of Oliver and Lydia (Andrews) 
Henshaw. Eight children. 

2. Mary Pope Wetherbee, born 12 June, 1812; died 9 May, 1836; 

married 30 April, 1833, George W. Eddy of Waterford, 
N. Y. 

3. Moses Holden Wetherbee, born 18 July, 1814; died 28 Sept., 

1855; married 21 April, 1842, Frances Hull of Boston. 

4. George Williams Wetherbee, born 28 June, 1816; died 19 June, 

1818. 

5. Susannah Wetherbee, born 10 Nov., 1818; died 14 Sept., 

1820. 

6. Mercy Warren Wetherbee, born 21 Sept., 1820; married 13 

May, 1850, Rev. Isaac K. Brownson, of Peterboro, N. Y. 

7. Charles Wetherbee, born 22 Sept., 1822; died 24 July, 1825. 

8. Eliza Holden Wetherbee, born 1 Nov., 1824; married 25 May, 

1 In 1790 he had in his family three males under sixteen, and four females. 

2 Information supplied by J. O. Wetherbee, and by his son, Winthrop Wetherbee, who w T as born at 
Cambridge, 5 Nov., 1863, and married Alice Harding Clark. 


246 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


1845, Avery W. Gilbert of New Braintree, Mass. Seven 
children. 

9. Henry Wetherbee, born 19 Feb., 1827; married 14 March, 
1860, Ellen Merrill of Westfield, Mass. 

10. Seth Holden Wetherbee, born 12 Nov., 1829; died 16 July, 

1905, at Fall River, Mass.; married 17 Sept., 1859, at San 
Francisco, Mary Rand, who died 1868, at San Francisco; 
(2) 20 Dec., 1871, at Fall River, Lucy Ann Stafford, born 
27 Nov., 1825, at Fail River, died there 28 April, 1893. 
Seven children. 

11. Jeremiah Otis Wetherbee, born 16 Jan., 1832; died 21 June, 

1901, at Boston; married 29 Jan., 1863, at Boston, Martha 
Trundy Lovejoy, born 19 April, 1841, died 14 Sept., 1903. 
at Manchester N. H., daughter of Loyal and Mary Thomas 
(Stevens) Lovejoy. He was a merchant in Boston. Six 
children. 

12. John Williams Wetherbee, born 30 April, 1835; died 26 Oct., 

1836. 

7 Setii, born 24 Feb., 1793; died 1 May, 1872, s.p.; married 4 April, 

1816, Harriet Clark of Hardwick, Mass., died 13 Feb., 1884, 
aged 89 years, 5 months, 15 days, g.s. In 1866, Mr. and Mrs. 
Holden celebrated their golden wedding. A brother and three 
sisters of Mr. Holden were present, their united ages amounting 
to 374 years. J. Otis Wetherbee, a nephew, contributed a hymn 
for the occasion. Immediately following the celebration of the 
golden marriage ceremony by Rev. James W. Thompson, he 
performed the wedding ceremony of Austin G. Wheelock and 
Harriet N. Clark, a niece of Mrs. Holden. More than two hun¬ 
dred and forty guests joined in the felicitations extended on this 
occasion. 

8 Clarissa, born 14 Aug., 1795; married 24 Dec., 1816, at B'arre, 

Colonel Stephen Fay, Jr., born 1 May, 1789, at New Braintree, 
died 14 June, 1859, son of Captain Stephen and Elizabeth Fay. 
Children, 1 born at New Braintree: 

1. Charles Fay, born 23 Oct., 1817; married 27 Feb., 1841, 

Emeline Bacon. 

2. A son, born 26 Nov., 1819; died 30 Nov., 1819. 

3. Elizabeth Freeman Fay, born 29 June, 1821; married 3 March, 

1840, Thomas P. Anderson. 

4. Benjamin Fay, born 8 July, 1823; married 13 May, 1846, Jane 

H. Fresco, born 28 Jan. 1843. 

5. Moses Holden Fay, born 8 Jan., 1825; married 30 April, 1855, 

Clara Frost. 

6. Stephen Fay, born 9 Aug.,1827; married 2 Aug., 1854, Cath¬ 

erine A. Green. 

7. George Adams Fay, born 20 Sept., 1829; died 28 Oct., 

1831. 

8. Clarissa Fay, born 13 Sept., 1831. 

1 New Braintree records and Austin W. Holden papers. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


247 


9. Sarah Ann Fay, born 22 Feb., 1834; married 7 June, 1865, 
Josiah E. Carter. 

10. Seth Freeman Fay, born 31 March, 1837; died 3 July, 1858, s.p. 

9 Melinda, born 17 May, 1798; married 31 May, 1819, Ezra Baker, 
who died 18 Oct., 1857, having been one of Barre’s most promi¬ 
nent citizens. 

Children: 

1. Adaline Augusta Baker, born 27 April, 1820; died 23 Dec., 1843. 

2. George Franklin Baker, born 7 Nov., 1823. 

3. Ezra Freeman Baker, born 31 Jan. 1827. 

4. Harriet Elvira Baker, born 17 Feb., 1831. 

10 Josiah Dana, born 14 Oct., 1802; died 23 Oct., 1835 (g.s.), at Barre; 
married 26 Nov., 1825, Martha W. Wadsworth, died 20 Jan., 
1843, aged 40 (g.s. at Barre), daughter of David and Virtue 
(Willard) Wadsworth. Her will dated 17 Dec., 1842, was proved 
March, 1843. David Wadsworth was appointed guardian of the 
children, 2 Nov., 1836. Part of the estate was in Petersham. 
Children, born at Barre: 

1. Charles Wadsworth, born 4 Oct., 1826; died 30 June, 1849, 

unmarried, near Cottenwood Creek, Cal. In the settlement 
of his estate at Worcester, he is styled late of New York 
City. He established Holden’s Dollar Magazine. 1 

2. Harriet, born 12 April, 1828; married 16 April, 1847, at Barre, 

Dr. Henry B. Wilber, who is said to have been director 
of an insane hospital at Syracuse, N. Y. 1 

3. Martha, born 28 Nov., 1831; died 14 March, 1849 (g.s.). 

4. Abbey Perry, born 9 Feb., 1834; living 1870 unmarried. 

The gravestones of Deacon Moses Holden and of his wife stand 
side by side in the old Lee Cemetery, near the old Holden farm in 
Barre. The graves of Seth Holden and his wife are in Glen Valley 
Cemetery at Barre. The Bible of Deacon Moses, the hall clock 
formerly his, portraits of his children, and various articles of house¬ 
hold furniture which had belonged to him are in the possession of his 
descendant, Winthrop Wetherbee of Boston. 

Moses Holden served from the 21 to 25 Aug., 1777, in Captain 
Benjamin Nye’s company, Colonel Sparhawk’s regiment on an alarm 
calling militia to Bennington. 

He was constable eight years, assessor four years, and deacon in 
the church. 

12256 Nathan (Josiah, James , Justinian , Richard ), born 
2 March, 1758, at Barre, Mass.; died 10 Sept., 1808, at New Salem, 
Mass. 1 ; married 28 Nov., 1782, at Barre, Abigail Whiting, 2 born 
11 Oct., 1763, died 2 April, 1851, 3 sister of Amos Whiting, who served 
in the army with her husband , 1 and daughter of Josiah Whiting . 3 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. 2 Certificate of town clerk in pension case. *R. W. Holden Ms. 


248 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children: 

1-1 Simeon, born 22 June, 1784, 1 at Barre; died-; married 

Polly Peirce. 

2 Lucinda born 24 Jan., 1786 at Petersham; died 27 Sept., 1870. 

3 Fanny, born 19 Dec., 1787; 2 died 24 Aug., 1874; married, 1810, 

Daniel Felton, born 9 March, 1787, died 12 Aug., 1868, son of 
Stephen Felton. 

Children: 3 

1. Myra H. Felton, born 11 Oct., 1811; died-; married 6 

June, 1838, Charles Hagar. 

2. Alvin Felton, born 3 Aug., 1813; died-; married 23 April, 

1835, Heritable Whitney. 

3. Lydia Felton, born 5 Dec., 1815; died 6 Jan., 1816. 

4. Franklin Felton, born 3 Nov., 1817; died-; married 6 

May, 1844, Samantha Briggs. 

5. Fanny Felton, born 10 Oct., 1819; died 22 Sept., 1840, s.p. 

6. Lucretia Felton, born 14 Jan., 1822; died-; married 8 

July, 1858, David A. Foote. 

7. Joseph P. Felton, born 17 Aug., 1824; died-; married 

27 April, 1847, Harriet Amanda Briggs. 

4 Abigail P., born 30 Dec., 1789; 2 died 8 July, 1842; married 9 Feb., 

1912, Joel Bacon. 4 

5 Lucretia, born 23 April, 1792; 2 died 25 March, 1869. 

6-6 Nathan, born 3 March, 1794; 4 married Hannah Taylor. 

7 Julia Whiting, born 31 March, 1796. 2 

8 Sophronia, born 30 Jan., 1798; 2 died 28 May, 1872. 

9-9 Josiah Bond, born 19 Dec., 1800; 5 died 17 March, 1862; married 
Cynthia Thompson. 

10 Myra, born 31 Oct., 1804; 5 died 12 July, 1806. 

K-ll Stillman, born 1 July, 1807; 8 died 20 Feb., 1885; married Abigail P. 
Whiting. 

In the census of 1790, Nathan Holden of Petersham was head of 
a family consisting of self, three males under sixteen, and three 
females. The inventory of his estate taken 1 Nov., 1808, disclosed 
only personal property in New Salem, but that he had 1120 acres 
in Houlton, Me., valued at $800. He died intestate and his widow, 
Abigail, was appointed administratrix. Asahel Paige of New Salem 
appointed guardian 10 July, 1810, of Lucinda (sic) and Julia W., 
minors over fourteen years, Sophronia, Josiah B., and Stillman, 
under fourteen years, children of Nathan Holden. Simeon and Lu¬ 
cinda Holden assent to administratrix’s accounts 18 June, 1810. 

Nathan Holden of Barre enlisted 5 May, 1777, and was discharged 
5 July, 1777. He served in Rhode Island, in company commanded 
by Captain William Henry, Colonel Whitney’s regiment. He may 
have been the man of same name in Captain Stockwell’s company 

1 Barre Vital Records. 2 Born at Petersham. 

3 History of Deerfield, Mass. 4 R. W. Holden Ms. 5 Born at New Salem 






FIFTH GENERATION 


249 


which marched on the Bennington Alarm of 28 July, 1777. He did 
enlist 28 March, 1778, and served in Captain William Marean’s 
company, in Colonel Stearns s regiment of guards at Cambridge 
until 2 July. Their duty was to guard the prisoners taken at Sara¬ 
toga. He again served from 31 July to 14 Sept., 1778, in Captain 
Jotham Houghton’s company, Colonel Josiah Whitney’s regiment 
raised for six weeks' service in Rhode. Island, and again in same 
company, as corporal, from 3 to 19 Nov., 1778, guarding the barracks 
at Rutland in which were the prisoners taken with Burgoyne, and as 
escort to Enfield, Conn. On the 2 July, 1780, he enlisted for six months 
in the Continental Army. His descriptive list states he was then 
twenty-two years of age, light complexion, and five feet, six inches 
in height. He was discharged 29 Dec., 1780, and during this service 
was stationed at West Point, and was a member of company com¬ 
manded by Captain Cooper, in Colonel Gamaliel Bradford’s regi¬ 
ment. 1 

It is also possible that it was he, not his cousin of the same name, 
who marched from Shrewsbury in Captain Job Cushing’s company 
of Minute Men on the alarm of the 19 April, 1775, and enlisted 
28 April, until 31 Dec. Captain Job Cushing commanded a com¬ 
pany in Colonel Jonathan Ward’s regiment, If this enlistment in 
1775 was by Nathan 12256, it appears strange that his widow did 
not mention it. As will be seen, it is possible to check the other 
enlistments by the statements made by her. 

“Franklin Co., Nov. 20,1838, appeared a resident of New Salem, aged 
75 years, Abigail Holden, who being sworn says: That she is the widow 
of Nathan Holden formerly of New Salem. I knew the said Nathan 
Holden before he went into the army, we both lived in Barre, Worces¬ 
ter Co.; he was absent 8 or 9 months; he was at Bennington; was 
with the army in Rhode Island; he assisted in guarding the British 
prisoners at Rutland, Mass., which were taken at the surrender of 
Burgoyne. I often heard my said husband say that he was at West 
Point at the time of Arnold’s treachery, and that he saw Major 
Andre hung. At this time he was absent some 8 or 9 months. My 
brother Amos Whiting (who has been dead a good many years) was 
with him at West Point, and I have often heard him say he was in 
the same company with my husband and in the same mess. 

“I further declare that I was married to the said Nathan Holden, 
Nov. 26, 1782; that my husband, the aforesaid Nathan Holden, 
died Sept. 10, 1808. That my maiden name was Abigail Whiting. 2 ” 

“Josiah B. Holden of New Salem, Nov. 20, 1838, says that he was 
well acquainted with Nathan Holden, the late husband of Abigail 
Holden who is about to apply for a pension, and that said Nathan 
Holden died at his house in New Salem Sept. 10, 1808. 2 ” 

1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 2 Pension records. 


250 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


12263 Aaron ( Thojnas , James , Justinian , Richard ), born 23 
June, 1755, at Barre; died in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N. Y.; 1 married 
30 Oct., 1777, at Barre, Rachel Richardson. 2 He is said to have 
had a second wife, Anna. 1 

There is doubt connected with the identification of Aaron of 
Ellisburg with Aaron of Barre (12263). The latter disappears from 
Barre after the birth of Esther, who appears, but there is no proof, 
to be that Esther who married at Chester, Vt. There is a record at 
Chester of the marriage, 1 Dec., 1796, of Aaron Holden and Lydia 
Muzza. Chester is in Windsor County, and Joseph, brother of 
Aaron, settled there, and their brother John was piarried there. 
The census of 1790 and that of 1810 fail to disclose the residence 
of Aaron Holden. He was not given as head of a family in Massa¬ 
chusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, or New York yet, if children 
ascribed to him below are correctly given, he was certainly a citizen 
who should have been enumerated. He is said to have served in the 
American Revolution; if so he may be that Aaron Holden found as 
a member of the company commanded by Captain John Oliver, 
Colonel Sparhawk’s regiment, who served in New Jersey in 1777, 
for the period of three months prior to August. It is known that 
Aaron had a daughter Esther, and it is believed that he was father of 
sons Lewis, Asa, and Eli, as given in the list of children, but no evi¬ 
dence has been found to confirm the list as a whole, which is taken 
from the R. W. Holden Ms ., and there said to have been taken from 
“History of Northern New York” where the line of Asa is continued. 
The list is printed subject to correction. 

Children: 

1 Esther, born 10 April, 1778; perhaps married 20 Feb., 1800, at 

Chester, Vt., Joseph Whittemore, Jr., “both of Chester.” 2 

2 Thomas. 

3-3 Lewis, born 1783; married Anna Thompson. 

4 Timothy. 

5- 5 Asa, born 1791; married Pluma Wilcox. 

6- 6 Eli. 

7 Aaron. 

8 John. 

9 Charles. 

10 Rachel. 

11 Jemima. 

12 Sally. There is record of Sally Holden of Middlebury, Vt., and 

Peter Twitchell of the same place, marrying there, 11 Nov., 1821. 2 

13 Anna. 

14 Harriet. 

15 Lucy. 

16 David. 


1 R. W. Holden Ms. 


2 Town records. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


251 


12264 Joseph ( Thomas , James , Justinian , Richard ), born 23 
June, 1755, at Barre, Mass.; died 5 Nov., 1833, at Chester, Vt., 
aged 78 years”; 1 married 15 Sept., 1785, at Barre, Mrs. Jemima 
(Stevens) Marsh, 2 born 1750, died 3 Feb., 1847, at Chester, 1 widow 
of Samuel Marsh, whom she had married 29 Dec., 1768, at King’s 
Chapel, Boston. 3 

Children: 

1-1 (?) Joseph S., born 1791, in Massachusetts, 4 living 1870; married 

Cynthia Reynolds. 

2 (?) Sophronia, as of Chester, married there 7 April, 1819, Ebenezer 

Dinsmore of Cavendish. 1 

3 (?) Hannah, as of Chester, married there 12 April, 1820, Amasa 

Turner of Chester. 1 

The census 5 of 1810 found at Chester Joseph Holden, the only 
one of the name there enumerated as a head of a family, having a 
family of self, over 45 years, one male between the ages of 16 and 26, 
and three females, one over 45 years, one under 10, and one between 
the ages of 16 and 26. 

Joseph Holden served throughout the American Revolution. He 
enlisted at Barre in the company of Captain Benjamin Gates, Colonel 
Holman's regiment, Mass. Line, on or about 5 July, 1776, in which 
he served until December, 1776. He reenlisted from the 7th Worces¬ 
ter regiment of militia, March 13, 1777, in Reed’s company, Colonel 
John Brook’s regiment; was at Cherry Valley, February-April, 1779, 
following the engagement there with the Indians, 11 Nov., 1778, in 
which he took part; and he also took part in the engagement with 
the Indians at Onondaga in April, 1779. He was promoted corporal 
in July, 1780, and sergeant the following month. On descriptive 
list dated 20 Feb., 1782, he is described as sergeant in Capt. Eliphalet 
Thorp’s company, Brook’s (7th) regiment, age 27 (also given as 
22 and 23); five feet, eight inches (also given as five feet, seven 
inches and also six feet) complexion dark (also appears as light), 
hair brown (also given as black and as light); born at Barre. He was 
tried by court martial 24 March, 1782, for abusing sergeant Pike, 
and demoted. He was discharged 8 June, 1783. His own declaration 
of service, made 13 April, 1818, when seeking a pension, which was 
granted, asserts that he was in the battle of Harlem Heights, White 
Plains, two engagements with Burgoyne’s army, and at Bemis 
Heights and Stillwater, at Cherry Valley and Onondaga and also at 
New Town Point, the last three with the Indians, and enclosed with 
his application a warrant constituting him first sergeant in company 

1 Chester records. 2 Certificate in pension case. 

3 F. A. Holden Ms. * Vermont census of 1860. 

5 The census of 1790 found a Joseph Holden at Dummerstown, Vermont, head of a family of self, one 
male under sixteen and two females. 


252 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


late Captain John Read’s, from 1 Feb., 1780, dated 1 Dec., 1780, at 
West Point. 

After his death the pension was continued to his widow, who filed 
various documents in the case, one being a deposition by Arannah 
Spear of Braintree, Vt., dated 20 Oct., 1837, asserting that Jemima 
was then of Cavendish, and that she was his mother’s sister, and the 
widow both of Samuel Marsh and Joseph Holden. She testified 
23 Oct., 1838, that she was aged 88 years, was a resident of Chester, 
and furnished a certificate of her first marriage. Kezia Spear, sister 
to Jemima, of Orange, Vt., aged 84 years, deposed that she was three 
years younger than Jemima and had lived in Brookfield, Mass., 
until she was 30 years old, and that her sister married Samuel Marsh 
in Boston, and later Joseph Holden; and that her three brothers, 
Silas, Jude and Roger Stevens were in the Revolutionary army, 
and that Samuel Marsh was also in the army, and she believes 
an officer when “he last left never to return. Her sister had five 
children. ” 

12268 John ( Thomas , James , Justinian , Richard ), born 13 Oct., 
1763, at Barre, Mass.; died 11 Jan., 1845, at New Hudson, N. Y.; 
married 21 June, 1798, at Chester, Vt., 1 Irena Caryl, born 22 July, 
1770, at Hopkinton, Mass., died 19 May, 1873, at New Hudson (near 
Belfast 2 ) N. Y., aged 102 years, 9 months, 27 days, daughter of 
Thomas and Esther (Wright) Caryl. 

Thomas Caryl was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill, and his 
daughter remembered the occasion and circumstances, as well as 
many other incidents of her childhood, to the day of her death, 
which occurred at the house of her son, Thomas Caryl Holden. Two 
of her uncles were killed in the French and Indian and Revolutionary 
wars. She was the oldest of fourteen children . 3 

Mr. Holden w T as a shoemaker. He also taught school. It is said 
of him that he was a “mathematician of very rare genius.” Warned 
at Rockingham, Vt., 7 June, 1813, with wife and eight eldest children. 
The United States Census of 1810 did not find him at Chester, Vt., 
nor was he enumerated in New York. 

Children : 3 

1 Rosella, born 4 Sept., 1798, at Chester; died 16 April, 1872, at New 

Hudson, N. Y.; married 9 Feb., 1822, at Rockingham, Otis Marsh 

of Chester. 

2 John, born 19 Feb., 1800, at Chester; he went South in 1821, and all 

trace of him was lost. 

3-3 Thomas Caryl, born 4 Feb., 1802, at Chester; married Randa D. 

Damon. 

4 Olive Peabody, born 25 Oct., 1803, at Rockingham; died unmarried. 


1 Chester records. 


- R. W. Holden Ms. 


3 F. A. Holden Ms. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


253 


5 Harvey, born 19 Oct., 1805, at Rockingham; died at Groton, N. Y 

living 1877. 

6 Fanny, born 30 July, 1807, at Rockingham; died unmarried. 

7 Lawson, born 1 July, 1809; died 6 Dec., 1844, at Providence, R. I., 1 

unmarried. 

8 Rufus, born 20 May, 1811, at Springfield, Vt.; married Levina A. 

Luther. 

9-9 George Stillman, born 19 May, 1814, at Rockingham, Vt.; died 
25 Jan., 1873; married Mary J. Damon. 

12294 David (Aaron, James, Justinian, Richard), born 7 May, 
1762, 2 at Barre, Mass.; died 2 Oct., 1836, at Shrewsbury, Vt.; married 
20 Feb., 1791, at Barre, Hannah Mason, 2 born 15 Feb., 1763, at 
Barre, daughter of Elder John and Elizabeth (Dunton) Mason . 2 
Children , 3 born at Shrewsbury, Vt .: 4 

1- 1 Harry, born 5 Nov., 1791; died 1 Dec., 1876; married Elizabeth G. 

Spencer; (2) Mrs. Sarah Smith. 

2- 2 David, born 5 Jan., 1793; died 27 March, 1860; married Mary Fox; 

(2) Lydia Townsend. 

3 Harriet, born 5 Oct., 1798; died March, 1813. 

4 (?) Son, living 1810, under 10 years of age. 

David Holden removed to Shrewsbury, Vt., the year he was 
married, into what was then almost a wilderness. His brother 
Elijah occupied an adjoining farm. David held many responsible 
offices, was representative to the Legislature for seven years and a 
magistrate for twenty-five years . 5 

The census of 1790 found at Shrewsbury, Vt., David Holden head 
of a family of two males over 16 and one female. As Elijah accom¬ 
panied David to Shrewsbury, and was not married till 1796, it is 
probable that the brothers settled in Shrewsbury earlier than family 
tradition asserts. Perhaps their sister Rachel accompanied them. 
She married in 1793 a Bethel man. Family tradition asserts that 
David settled at Shrewsbury in 1787. 

The census of 1810 enumerates in his family two males between 
16 and 26 years, and one under 10, also one female between 10 and 
16 and one between 26 and 45 years of age, probably his wife, who 
was actually 47 years of age. 

12297 Elijah (Aaron, James, Justinian, Richard), born 4 Jan., 
1768, 6 at Barre, Mass.; died prior to 1850, at Shrewsbury, Vt.; 
married 4 Dec., 1796, 7 at Shrewsbury, Vt., Sarah Brown, born 
10 Feb., 1778, at Johnston, R. I., died 24 Nov., 1867, at Shrewsbury, 

i Providence Deaths. 2 Town records. 3 R. W. Holden Ms. 

4 F. A. Holden Ms. Information probably received from Harry Holden (12294-1). 

6 Information of Harry Holden, 1867. 6 Town records. 

7 F. A. Holden Ms. Dr. Elijah B. Holden (12297- 9) supplied information regarding this family, about 
1889! 


254 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


daughter of Reuben Brown who removed to Shrewsbury from Rhode 
Island . 1 

This family is not found in the United States Census of 1810. 2 
While recovering from a broken leg, in 1786, Elijah Holden made 
a powderhorn from an oxhorn, which he carved quite elaborately 
with date, name, two trees, birds and animals, all with a pocket 
knife. It is in possession of his grandson, Elijah N. Holden of Iliff, 
Colo., to whom it was given about 1880. 

Children, born at Shrewsbury, Vt. : 3 

1-1 Hannibal, born 12 May, 1798; died 15 Aug., 1877; married Esther 
Willis; ( 2 ) Achsah Day. 

2 Mary Waterman, born 21 Oct., 1800; died about 1 March, 1877, at 

North Clarendon, Vt., unmarried. She lived with her brother, 
James S. 

3 Anna Clark, born 10 Dec., 1802; died 18 Dec., 1834, at Lockport, 

N. Y., unmarried. 

4-4 Obadiah, born 27 Jan., 1805; died 5 Sept., 1871; married Nancy 
Waterman. 

5 Achsah, born 27 March, 1807; died 24 Nov., 1867; married 3 Dec., 
1833, George W. Webb of Shrewsbury, born 27 Sept., 1808; died 
, son of George Washington and Patience (Clark) 
Webb. They lived at Shrewsbury. 

Children : x 

1. Henry Webb, born Oct., 1834; married Feb., 1860, Sylvia 

Monroe. 

2. Ann Eliza Webb, born April, 1837; married October, 1856, 

John Enos Marsh. 

3. Mary W T ebb, born Aug., 1839; married Feb., 1860, Samuel 

Farr. 

6-6 James Sullivan, born 19 July, 1809; died 2 Sept., 1891; married 
Elizabeth P. Waterman. 

7 Sally, born 16 Dec., 1811; living 1877, unmarried. In 1860, living 
with her brother, James S. 

8- 8 Eli Latinus, born 5 May 1814; died 26 Jan., 1879; married Eliza 

A. Crampton. 

9- 9 Elijah Brown, born 28 July, 1816; died 22 Feb., 1892; married 

Jerusha A. Brown; (2) Orra E. Billings. 

10 Newton, born 5 April, 1819; died young. 

1229J Rufus (Aaron, James , Justinian , Richard ), born 28 
March, 1774, 4 at Barre, Mass.; died 3 Feb., 1842, at Barre ; 4 married 
25 Dec., 1803, 4 at Barre, Anna Partridge, born 15 Sept., 1781, died 
24 Oct., 1853, daughter of Thaddeus and Thankful (Adams) Par¬ 
tridge . 5 

1 Winslow Memorial, 1:803, et seq., where also descendants of Achsah (Holden) Webb may be found 

2 Report of Miss Williams, 1921. 

3 F. A. Holden Ms. Dr. Elijah B. Holden (12297-9) supplied information regarding this family about 

1889. * Town records. 

5 F. A. Hclden Ms. The Partridge Genealogy in N. E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., gives her death as 1 Aug., 1851. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


255 


Rufus Holden lived at Barre on his father’s homestead. He com¬ 
municated items of family interest in 1820. 

Children born at Barre : 1 

1 Aaron, born 31 March, 1804; died 3 Jan., 1883. 

2 Cyrene, born 21 Aug., 1806; married 14 April, 1836, at Barre, 

Nathan Woodis. 1 
Child: 

1. Sarah Ann Woodis, born 27 March, 1837, 1 at Barre. 

3 A daughter, died 15 Jan., 1811. 

4 Caroline, born 26 April, 1812; died 12 Sept., 1850. 

5 Thankful, born 21 June, 1816; died 1818. 

6 Rufus Bradley, born 7 April, 1819. 

7—7 Millard, born 7 April, 1821 ; 2 died 20 June, 1879; married Rhoda 
Spooner. 

8 David, born 10 Feb., 1826; died 23 April, 1891; married Amelia 
Spooner. 

12411 Ebenezer ( Ebenezer, Ebenezer, Justinian, Richard), born 
1730; died Nov., 1790, “aged 60 years,” at Granville ; 1 married 
1 July, 1761, at Granville , 1 Martha Holle, who survived her 
husband. 

Children, born at Granville : 1 

1- 1 Darius, born probably in 1762. 

2- 2 Ebenezer Mitchel, born 7 Jan., 1764; died 13 July, 1845; married 

Hepzibah Goodrich. 

3 Ada 3 born 29 Sept., 1768; married David Goodrich, born 12 Dec., 

1754, son of Alpheus and Hepzibah (Hubbard) Goodrich. She 
was living in 1790. 

4 Jeduthan, born 3 May, 1771; married prior to 1790. 3 In the census 

of 1790 he is enumerated at Granville, having a family of self and 
wife. In 1792 he purchased of the executor of his father’s estate a 
small piece of land sold to meet the debts of the estate, and April 24, 
1793, then of Granville, he sold all his interest in his father’s estate 
to Eliakim Miller . 4 

5-5 William, born 9 July, 1773; married Prudence Belden. 

6 Elizabeth, not living in 1790; married Asa Simons, who had died 
prior to 1790. 

Child: 

1. Naomi Simons, under 18, 1792; named in grandfather’s will. 

Ebenezer Holden was a farmer in Granville. He was a committee 
to report on a highway from Blandford to Granville in 1771, 3 and in 
1783 he is named on a list of inhabitants of Granville, as 53 years of 
age. His will, dated 4 Nov., 1790, was probated the following 7 
December. The relict Martha and Enos Seaward were appointed 

1 Town records. 

2 Austin W. Holden papers, from which the records of descendants of Rufus were obtained by R. W. 

Holden. 

3 Records at Northampton. 4 Hampshire Deeds, 35:501. 


256 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


executors. His property, including real estate, was bequeathed to 
his widow, sons William, Mitchel, Jeduthan, and Darius, daughter 
Adah, wife of David Goodrich, and granddaughter Naomi Simons. 1 

The widow deeded her dower rights in forty acres and a half acre 
by the house and barn, 23 April, 1794. 2 She was appointed guardian 
of William, son of Ebenezer Holden, 9 July, 1790, and is at that time 
styled “grandmother” of the ward, an evident error in description 
as he was described as “aged 17 years,” corresponding with the 
birth of her son William. 

The historian of Oxford found Ebenezer Holden living there in 
February, 1755. 

Lie may have been that Ebenezer Holdman who enlisted 27 April, 
1759, in Lt.-Colonel Nathan Payson’s company, 1st Regiment, of 
Hartford. Job Holden, otherwise unknown, was drafted in 1762 
from Wallingford but did not join his company. 

12432 Samuel ( Jabez, Ebenezer, Justinian, Richard), born 10 
Aug., 1755, at Oxford, Mass.; died in New Y'ork; married Abigail 
Ayrault, died 26 July, 1812, “aged 50 years” (g.s. at Salisbury, 
Conn.), daughter of James and Abigail (Kilborne) Ayrault. 3 

Samuel Holden was enumerated in the census of 1790 at Sandis- 
field, head of a family of self, two males under 16, and 3 females. 
About 1803 he settled at Salisbury, Conn., that part now Lakeville, 
buying land there Dec., 1803. After the death of his wife he removed 
to Binghamton, N. Y. 

Children : 3 

1 Tryphena, born 17 Sept., 1784, at Sandisfield. 4 (Tryphena Holden 

or Pease died 20 Dec., 1805, Montville Baptist Church records at 

Sandisfield. 3 ) 

2 William Ward, born 9 March, 1786; at Sandisfield; 4 died unmarried 

and insane. 3 

3 Abigail, born 12 May, 1788, at Sandisfield; 4 married Eliphalet 

Buell. 

4 Ashbel 4 (Ashley Reiley 3 ), born 9 Feb., 1790, at Sandisfield. 

5 James Ayrault, born 12 March, 1795, at Sandisfield; 4 married Jane 

Park. 

6 Sarah, born 11 April, 1797, at Sandisfield. 4 

7 Rebecca, born 15 Feb., 1800, at Sandisfield ; 4 married — Stephens. 3 

8 Mary Ann, 3 married Samuel Fitch. 3 

9 Lyman. 3 

J-10 George Anson, 3 born 1805; died 26 Jan., 1861; married Sally A. 

Selleck. 

16313 Isaac ( Benjamin, Joseph, Samuel, Richard), born 12 

1 Records at Northampton. 2 Hampshire Deeds, 35:501. 

3 Information of W. H. Perry, Jr., of Lakeville. * Sandisfield records at New Boston. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


257 


April, 1748, 1 at Framingham, Mass.; died prior to June, 1811, at 
Leverett; married Isabella, who was living later than 1811, and 
had a lease for life of certain real estate from Elijah Gardner . 2 
Children, “of Isaac and Isabella,’' born at Southborough : 1 

1 Sarah, born 20 July, 1773; married 11 Oct., 1792, 1 at Southborough, 
Jonathan Pratt of Framingham. Removed to Leverett, 1808. 3 
Children, 1 born at Framingham: 

1. Levi Pratt, born 27 May, 1794. 

2. Lesy (Lucy 3 ) Pratt, born 8 May, 1796. 

3. Lusene (Lucene 3 ) Pratt, born 5 Aug., 1798. 

4. Lucinda Pratt, born 14 Dec., 1800. 

2- 2 Isaac, born 20 Aug., 1775. 

3- 3 Benjamin, born 24 March, 1778; died 1851; married Catherine 

FIolden, his cousin. 

4- 4 John, born 9 April, 1781; died 20 May, 1838; married Levina Mer¬ 

chant. 

5 Nathan, born 15 April, 1784; died prior to 5 June, 1811, intestate, 

on which date Isabel Holden, widow, Benjamin FIolden, John 
Holden, Jonathan Pratt and Sally, his wife, Elijah Gardner and 
Abigail, his wife, Mitty Holden, and Comfort Graves, single 
woman, heir- to Nathan Holden, convey to Isaac Holden all the 
real estate said Nathan died seized of. 4 

6 Nabby, born 15 July, 1787; died 22 July, 1787. 

7 Nabbe, born 4 July, 1788; married Elijah Gardner. 

8 Mittee, born 14 April, 1793; unmarried in 1813. She was of Leverett, 

insane, in 1842. Elijah Gardner, guardian, rendered his second 
account Sept. 17, 1844. 5 

Isaac Holden was a cordwainer. He purchased in 1771 ten acres 
of woodland in Framingham. 6 About the time of his marriage he 
removed to Southborough. In the census of 1790 his family con¬ 
sisted of self, four males under sixteen years, and four females. In 
April, 1804, he received from his son John a deed of the latter’s 
lands in Southborough and Westborough, and 3 Dec., 1805, sold 
to Ephraim Ward of Waltham, 56 acres in those two towns, including 
his homestead lot, which bounded on land of Isaac Newton. 7 He 
removed to Leverett, where he owned a quarter interest in a saw¬ 
mill and millyard privilege, which Isaac Holden, Jr., bought of his 
brothers and sisters and mother, 5 June, 1811, at which time there 
was a general settlement of the estate by deeds, by which Isaac 
came into possession of the homestead, 8 except one third part, the 
dwelling house, which his sister Mitty possessed. 

16314 Benjamin {Benjamin, Joseph, Samuel, Richard), born 

1 Town records. 2 Berkshire Deeds, 75:89. 3 Bullock Ms. 

4 Berkshire Deeds, 31:207. 6 Berkshire Probate. 6 Middlesex Deeds, 78:102. 

7 Worcester Deeds, 155:250; 164:554. 

Berkshire Deeds, 31:205, 206, 207, 208; 32:241; 38:224. 


258 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


29 August, 1752, 1 at Framingham, Mass.; died 20 April, 1822, at 
Leverett, Mass.; 2 married Sept., 1777, Elizabeth Ballard, a widow, 
born 1753, living 1837, at Wendell, Mass. 2 She died 29 Nov., 1845, 
at Wendell, per certificate, Berkshire Probate, death of pensioner. 
She died at the house of her grandson, Lyman Holden. 

Children, born at Framingham: 3 

1 Catherine, born 22 Nov., 1778; married Benjamin Holden (16313-3). 

2 Thomas Rogers, born 5 July, 1781; not living 1845; married — Jones, 

of Leverett. 4 

3 Nathaniel, born 25 Dec., 1784; married Susanna Harding 5 of 

Medway. 

4 Betsey, born 18 Nov., 1789; living 1845; married William Bowers 5 

of Littleton. See 19313-9. 

Benjamin Holden lived in Framingham, Sherborn, Medway and 
Leverett. While living at Framingham, he was known as “Benjamin, 
Junior.” He was a member of the company of minute men com¬ 
manded by Captain Simon Edgell, which marched from Framingham 
on the Alarm of the 19 April, 1775, and on the 24 April enlisted in 
Captain Thomas Drury’s company, 5th Mass, regiment (Colonel 
Nixon) and was in that company 22 Dec., 1775, in camp at Winter 
Hill. He enlisted in May, 1777, and served 2 months, 8 days, in 
Rhode Island, in Captain John Gleason’s company. He again enlisted 
31 August, 1781, in Captain Asa Drury’s company, Colonel Turner's 
regiment, and served in Rhode Island until discharged, 26 Sept., 1781. 6 
Other details regarding his military service can be gleaned from the 
papers in his pension case, of which abstracts are given below. 

Benjamin Holden of Leverett made declaration, 20 April, 1818, at 
Greenfield, that he entered the service soon after the battle of Lex¬ 
ington for the term of eight months in a company commanded by 
Captain Thomas Drury in Colonel John Nixon’s regiment in the 
Massachusetts line, and was honorably discharged. He immediately 
reenlisted for one year in a company commanded by Captain 
James Millins, Colonel Ward’s regiment in the line, and was honor¬ 
ably discharged at Fishkill, N. Y. He was then in the sixty-sixth year 
of his age, in reduced circumstances, wholly destitute of property, 
and in great need of assistance from his country for support. 

Samuel Snell of Hopkinton, also a soldier in Captain James Millins’ 
company, joined said company in Dorchester, 1 Jan., 1776. He 
certified 17 May, 1819 that Benj. Holden, then of Framingham, now 
of Leverett, 'was a soldier in the same company. Timothy Walker 
of Hopkinton certified to the same effect. 

1 Framingham Vital Records. 2 Pension case papers. His application is dated 20 April, 1818. 

3 Framingham records, certificate of town clerk in pension case. 4 Bullock Ms. 

6 Bullock Ms., where it is stated that Mrs. Susanna (Harding) Holden became insane, and died at the 
State Hospital, 14 Aug., 1836, aged 53. 

6 Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolution. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


259 


Benjamin Holden, aged sixty-eight years, of Medway, made 
deposition 1/ July, 1820, that he enlisted under Captain James 
Millins of Hopkinton, and served twelve months under him and 
Captain Jonathan Ward of Southborough in the Massachusetts 
line, and was dismissed at Harlem Heights, Jan. 1, 1777. After¬ 
wards he served at Sherburne. Later he went on a private expedi¬ 
tion under Captain Daniel Eames of Holliston, as will more fully 
appear by his declaration made about 20 April, 1818. His pension 
certificate is number 12316. He has no family residing with him 
except a son, aged thirty-five. He is a basket-maker but unable to 
work above half the time. 

Jabez Sawyer and Jabez Sawyer, Jr., of Wendell, testified that they 
have been acquainted with Elizabeth Holden ever since the death of 
her husband, Benjamin Holden, and that she had remained a widow. 

Elizabeth Holden, aged eighty-four years, of Wendell, 15 March, 
1837, declared she was widow of Benjamin Holden, formerly Benj. 
Holden, Jr., who was on the pension list, and who on 17 July, 1819, 
was a resident of Medway. By reason of infirmity she was unable 
to appear in court. The judge, Newcomb, went to the dwelling house 
of Silas Haskell, near her residence, New Salem, where she appeared 
before him. She was married to said Benjamin, September, 1777, 
at Framingham. Her husband died about 20 April, 1822. 

Gilbert Marshall of Framingham, seventy-seven years old, deposed 
he was born in Framingham, has always lived there. He knew 
Benjamin Holden, Jr., before the commencement of the Revolution¬ 
ary War of America, during that war, and long afterwards. He was 
well acquainted with Mr. Holden and his family. His wife’s name 
was Elizabeth Holden, and he was well acquainted with her before 
her marriage. She was a widow at that time. Her former husband’s 
name was Ballord. “We had no settled clergyman in Framingham at 
that time, and it was asked who Mr. Holden would get to perform 
the marriage ceremony. The answer was, ‘some justice of the 
peace,’ and soon afterwards I understood that they had been 
married by a justice of the peace.’’ 

16315 Joseph ( Benjamin , Joseph , Samuel , Richard ), born 
between April, 1762, and July, 1763, 1 probably in 1762, in Middlesex 
County; 2 died, it is supposed prior to 1790; married (intention at 
Reading, 15 Dec., 1786) 3 Hannah Newton of Framingham. He 

1 His birth as late as 1762 or 1763 would appear probable and in agreement with his age as given in his 
descriptive list, and also account for the omission of his name among the children of Benjamin Holden 
at the time he and family were “warned” at Framingham, Stoneham, Reading, and Woburn. The 
constant removal of his parents from one town to another is the reason for failure to find his birth record, 
for there seems no good reason to doubt that Joseph was son of Benjamin (1631), although no evidence 
other than family tradition or the decision of early genealogists dealing wi th this family has been found. 

2 Inferences drawn from the F. A. Holden and R. W. Holden Mss., checked by what little has been found 
on the records. 

3 Framingham records, certificate of town clerk m pension case. 


260 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


married, second, 30 Aug., 1788, at Bradford, 1 Jane Atwood of 
Bradford, born there (baptized 12 July, 1761) daughter of Samuel 
and Alary (Uran) Atwood. 

Children : 2 

1 Ebenezer, 1 born 1789. 

2-2 Joseph, married (intention at South Reading 20 Aug.) 13 Sept., 1819, 
at Stoneham, 3 Sally Crocker. A Joseph Holden died at South 
Reading 24 Sept., 1841, aged about 40 years, according to the 
church record. 

Joseph Holden enlisted July, 1780, for six months in the Conti¬ 
nental Army, to the credit of Stoneham, and was described as then 
seventeen years of age, light complexion, five feet, seven inches in 
height. He was discharged 14 Dec., 1780. He enlisted 12 April, 
1781, for three years, to the credit of the town of Reading, and his 
age was then given as nineteen, and was described as light com¬ 
plexion, dark hair, gray eyes, and a farmer. 4 He was at Camp 
Totoway, October, 1780. 

16414 William ( Samuel , Samuel , Samuel , Richard ), born 2 April, 5 
1768, at Alarblehead; died 14 Alarch, 1853, at Woburn; 6 married 
17 Oct., 1790, Elizabeth Brown, born 1767 at Sheepscot, Alaine, 
died 28 April, 1816, ( g.s . at Stoneham), daughter of Abiel and 
Thankful Brown. 

He married, second, 13 Jan., 1823, at Woburn, 6 Abigail Converse, 
who died 13 April, 1841. 5 

He married, third, 21 Dec., 1841, at Woburn, 6 Betsey Simonds, 
born 1801, died 25 Nov., 1861, at Woburn, aged sixty years, 6 daughter 
of Lemuel and Alary (Alaxwell) Simonds of Bedford. 5 

William Holden lived in Stoneham for many years, but after 
1823 is referred to as of Woburn, where his son William was settled. 
His house was partly in Stoneham and partly in Woburn. 7 He was 
a cordwainer. 

Children, 5 born 6 and baptized at Stoneham: 

1 Betsey, born 29 Dec., 1791; baptized 19 Feb., 1792; died 16 Nov., 
1823, 6 at Woburn; married (published 24 Nov., 1807 5 ) Zadok 
Wyman, son of Zadok and Betsey Wyman, died 22 Dec., 1849, 
aged 62 years. 6 He married (2) 24 Dec., 1826, Elizabeth Hadley. 
Children: 6 

1. Luther Wyman, born 24 Aug., 1809; married Sophia, 5 of Woburn. 

1 Given only by R. W. Holden, but without reference to authority. 

2 Inferences drawn from the F. A. Holden and R. W. Holden Mss., checked by what little has been 
found on the records. 

3 Vital Records, printed. Joseph Holden is described as of Reading. No children are found credited 
to him on the records of Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, or Woburn. There was a Hannah Holden enum¬ 
erated in 1790 at Stoneham, living alone See page 155. 

4 Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolution. 

5 F. A. Holden Ms. Information probably obtained from Luther Holden (16414-6). 

0 Town records. 7 History of Middlesex County, 2:484. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


261 


2. Stillman Wyman, born 10 Feb., 1817; married 13 May, 1843, 

Nancy Damon. 1 

3. Nancy Elizabeth Wyman, born 23 Oct., 1818. 

2- 2 William, born 5 March, 1795; died 22 May, 1862; married Sally 

Tay; (2) Catherine T. Child. 

3- 3 Abiel, born 9 March, 1798; baptized 8 April, 1798; died 4 Nov., 

1863; married Lydia Temple; (2) Martha Reynolds. 

4 Samuel, born 14 (baptized 24 2 ) Aug.,-1800; died 25 Feb., 1833, s.p . 3 

5 Martha, born 14 Jan. (baptized 11 Feb. 2 ), 1803; died 31 Jan., 1836 2 

married- Shed. 4 

6- 6 Luther, born 25 Feb., 1805; died 12 Nov., 1865; married Mary R. 

Brooks. 

7 Mary, born 3 May (baptized 11 Oct. 2 ), 1807; died 7 Sept., 1827. 3 

16415 Thomas ( Samuel, Samuel, Samuel, Richard), born 11 
April, 1770, at Marblehead; died 18 Dec., 1842, 5 at Billerica; married 
12 Oct., 1794, 6 at Woburn, Polly Munroe, died 14 March, 1847, 
aged 75, at Billerica . 7 

He was administrator of his father's estate. He settled in Billerica 
in 1802. 5 
Children : 5 

1 Abigail, born 11 Sept., 1795; married 7 Feb., 1819, at Billerica, 

Reuben French, born 26 Feb., 1792, son of Reuben and Abigail 
(Farmer) French. 5 
Children, born at Billerica: 5 

1. Henry Page French, born 23 May, 1824. 

2. Henry Holden French, born 15 Jan., 1827. 

3. George Page French, born 15 Sept., 1829. 

2 Thomas, born 14 May, 1798; of Stoneham. 8 

3 Henry, born 8 April, 1800; died young of fever. 9 

4- 4 George, born 10 June, 1802; died February, 1876; married Ellen 

Bennett. 

5 Amasa, born 8 June, 1804; accidentally shot, 29 June, 1813. 

6 Mary Ann, born 26 Dec., 1806; died 1 Nov., 1825. 7 

7- 7 Artemas (Rogers), born 15 Oct., 1809; died 1884; married Ann 

Bowers; 2 (2) Susan A. Bates. 

8- 8 Amasa, born 12 Oct., 1813; died 29 Feb., 1876; married Celia Foster. 

The five eldest children were baptized 25 May, 1806, and are 
named in Asa Holden's “Journal." 

16417 Asa ( Samuel, Samuel, Samuel, Richard), born 11 Dec., 
1773, at Stoneham; died 29 May, 1856, 5 at Concord, N. H.; 10 married 

1 Town Records. # 2 R. W. Holden Ms. 

3 F. A. Holden Ms. Information probably obtained from Luther Holden (16414-6). 

4 F. A. Holden Ms. R. W. Holden remarks, “probably married Daniel Shedd, 8 May, 1823, at Woburn.” 

The marriage is not on Woburn records, nor are children recorded there. Mrs. Bullock adds that her 
son Daniel Shed was born 2 Jan., 1824. 6 Hazen: History of Billerica. « Town records. 

7 R. W. Holden Ms. Mrs. Bullock states she married James Munroe Kidder. 

8 Married 26 Dec., 1856, Mary Ann Glinn of Roxbury. (F. A. Holden, quoting Stoneham records, and 

where his birth is given 20 Sept., 1797.) 9 Bullock Ms. 10 Statement of Abiel Holden. 



262 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


23 July, 1795, at Woburn, Sally Miller, 1 bom 14 Feb., 1778, 
died 18 April, 1796, at Woburn, aged 18 years, 1 daughter of Job and 
Sarah (Gould) Miller. 2 

He married, second, 10 Aug., 1798, at Woburn, Mary Richardson, 1 
who died 10 Dec., 1799, aged 25, 1 daughter of Reuben and Jerusha 
(Kendall) Richardson . 2 

He married, third, 1 Jan., 1801, 3 at Burlington, Nancy Wyman, 
oorn 5 Nov., 1777, 2 died 1 Dec., 1833, 3 daughter of Ezra and Eunice 
(Perkins) Wyman . 3 

He married, fourth, 10 July, 1834, Elizabeth Gould, of Stoneham, 3 
who died 2 April, 1841, 3 aged 63 years, 3 months, 29 days, g.s. at 
Stoneham, 2 daughter of David and Dorcas Gould. 2 

He married, fifth, 19 Sept., 1841 4 (10 Oct., 1841 2 ), Mrs. Mary 
Lawrence of Medford, who died 14 Dec., 1854, aged 75 years. 2 
Children , 5 the six youngest born at Billerica: 

1 i\. daughter, born 5 April, 1796; died 9 April, 1796. 4 

By second marriage: 

2-2 Asa, born 28 June, 1799; died 25 Aug., 1876; married Amanda R. J. 
Beard. 

By third marriage: 

3 Nancy, born 21 Sept., 1802; died 10 Feb., 1808. 

4- 4 Isaac, born 9 Nov., 1803, at (Burlington); married Louisa Well¬ 

ington. 

5- 5 Perkins, born 3 March, 1805; died 30 March, 1878; married Harriet 

Monroe. 

6- 6 Benjamin Franklin, born 14 Dec., 1806; died 29 Nov., 1874 ; 4 

married Harriet Morse; (2) Sarah E. Rounds. 

7- 7 Daniel, born 20 April, 1809; died 11 April, 1899; 4 married Sarah 

Haynes; (2) Roxanna Haynes. 

8 Martha Wyman, born 10 Aug., 1811; married 22 April, 1838, Joseph 

White of Bedford, born 14 Nov., 1774, at Littleton, died 13 Sept., 
1872, son of Joseph and Mary (Harrington) White. 

9 Nancy Richardson, born 22 Dec., 1816; died 5 March, 1834. 

10 John Wyman, born 25 Sept., 1818; died 6 Oct., 1819. 

Asa Holden kept a journal in which he entered many family 
records, including items concerning his grandfather and the latter’s 
family. On 16 April, 1804, he noted, “This day we moved from 
Burlington to Billerica.” 2 March, 1813, “Bought and moved on 
the place which was Thomas Craige’s.” 4 July, 1834, “This day 
we moved from Billerica to Stoneham.” His son or grandson added 
that Asa moved from Stoneham to West Concord, N. H., 9 Jan., 

1 Town records. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms., probably obtained in part from Giles Memorial. 

3 Hazen: History of Billerica. 

* R. W. Holden Ms. 

6 Hazen: History of Billerica, and F. A. Holden Ms., the one supplementing the other. The latter quote* 
Stoneham records for the dates of the fourth and fifth marriages. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


263 


1855, and spent the remainder of his days there. He also noted that 
Martha W. married Joseph White, and lived on a farm in Billerica, 

16451 John (John, Samuel , Samuel , Richard ), born 28 Dec., 
1761, at Stoneham, Mass.; died 22 Dec., 1828, at Otisfield, Maine; 
married (intention 14 Feb., 1784 1 ) Sybil T. Moors, born 26 June, 
1760, at Groton, Mass., died 2 May,. 1822, at Otisfield, Maine, 
daughter of Joseph and Amy (Hubbard) Moors and granddaughter 
of Jonathan and Sybil (Tarbell) Moors, 1 and sister of Major Jonathan 
Moors. 

John Holden, styling himself of Reading, tailor, and Sybil his 
wife “one of the heirs of Captain Samuel Tarbel, deceased,” conveyed 
to Hezekiah Hodkins and John Cummings, both of New Ipswich, 
their one thirty-sixth interest in Tarbel’s farm in Mason, N. H., 
3 May, 1784. 2 
Children : 3 

1- 1 John born 12 Oct., 1784 (1785) at Reading; died 25 Jan., 1865; 

married Polly Ray; (2) Mrs. Polly Mayberry. 

2- 2 Henry, born 21 Jan., 1787, at Woburn; 4 died 25 Sept., 1876; married 

Abigail M. Ray. 

3 Sally, born 14 June, 1789, at Woburn; died 13 Sept., 1865, at 

Charlestown, Mass.; married 23 Jan., 1812, Joel Stevens of 
Norway, Maine. 

4 Thirza (Theresa), born 1 July, 1791 ; 3 died 5 Jan., 1858, at Otis¬ 

field; married 22 Dec., 1819, Jonathan Moors of Otisfield. For 
descendants of her son, who was brought up by his uncle and 
took the name of Holden, see under Samuel K. Holden (16451.41). 

5 George Peirce, born 23 Jan., 1796; 3 died 27 Aug., 1871, at Otisfield, 

where he occupied the old homestead; married 13 May, 1828, 
Olive Knight, daughter of Stephen and Ann S. (Houston) Knight 
• of Otisfield. She died 5 June, 1867, and he married (2), 4 Nov., 
1868, Mrs. Huldah Hall, his first wife’s sister. 5 She died 3 Dec., 
1876, aged 77. No issue. Mr. Holden was well read on chosen 
subjects, and well instructed in the Bible. He sometimes lectured 
Sunday afternoons, and was one of the early abolitionists. He 
was selectman. 

6-6 Jesse, born 22 March, 1800, 3 at Otisfield; died 29 June, 1870; married 
Caroline F. Knight. 

7 Sybil, born 24 June, 1803, at Otisfield 3 (14 June, 1803, at Wrentham); 6 
died 27 Feb., 1856; married 13 Jan., 1825, David Thurston, born 
16 Feb., 1791, died 31 Dec., 1846, son of David and Polly (Spurr) 
Thurston. 7 He was a farmer in Otisfield. 

Children : 7 

1. Abel Moors Thurston, born 31 Aug., 1835; married 28 Dec., 

1871, Aramenta Jane Pitts. 

2. Martha Ann Thurston, born 24 March, 1827; married 27 Oct., 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. 2 Hillsboro Deeds, 18:400. 3 G. B. Holden Ms 4 Woburn records. 

6 R. W. Holden Ms. 6 Bullock Ms. 7 Thurston Genealogies, where descendants will be found. 


264 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


1850, Lyman Nutting Kimball of Portland, Maine. For 

descendants see Kimball Genealogy. 

3. John Holden Thurston, born 7 Feb., 1829; of Otisfield. 

4. Charlotte Thurston, born 28 July, 1831; married 25 April, 

1857, at Casco, Maine, Cyrus K. Holden (16452.13). 

5. Abigail Frances Thurston, born 14 July, 1833; died 12 Aug., 

1864; married 4 July, 1852, at Saco, James Dorrance Hatch. 

They lived at South Waterborough, Maine. 

6. Sybil Holden Thurston, born 12 Jan., 1836; died 24 March, 

1867, unmarried. 

7. Syrene Wight Thurston, born 13 Sept., 1839; married 4 March, 

1860, Benjamin Bailey Walton. Lived at York Centre, Iowa. 

8. David William Porter Thurston, born 9 April, 1843; married 

1 May, 1866, Emily Wight. He was a farmer at Eight Mile 

Grove, Cass Co., Neb. He served in the Civil War, in the 

5th Maine Volunteers. 

9. Amelia Knight Thurston, born 7 Oct., 1845; married 4 July, 

1863, John L. Holt, and lived in Peabody, Mass. 

8 Mary Ann, born 5 Nov., 1807, at Otisfield; 1 married 25 Sept., 1831, 

Seward Mayberry. They removed to Elmwood, Neb., in 1874. 

No issue. An adopted son, Americus V. Durrell, born 19 Nov., 

1829, accompanied them. 

G. B. Holden, who compiled an account of the Otisfield families, 
stated that John Holden with his family, then including five children, 
left Woburn the last day of February, 1796, and reached Otisfield 
March 3, travelling by sleigh. He settled on the farm which had 
been located by Major Jonathan Moors, his brother-in-law, now 
known as the George Holden place. 

On the 12 April, 1798, John Flolden, Jr., of Otisfield, gentleman, 
purchased from George Peirce of Otisfield, Esquire, for $500, one 
hundred acres, being lot No. 86, second division. The deed, 
recorded with Cumberland Deeds, 33; 92, was witnessed by Henry 
Holden. 

John Holden served in the Continental Army. He enlisted 15 
July, 1779, to the credit of Stoneham. His age is given as 17 years, 
height, 5 feet, 7 inches; light complexion. He was discharged 15 
April, 1780, having served in Captain Bancroft's company, 8th 
regiment, Colonel Jackson. He reenlisted, 10 April, 1781, for three 
years, aged 19 years, height 5 feet, 7 Yi inches, light complexion, 
sandy hair and light eyes. He may be that John Holdin whose 
name appears on the rolls of Tupper’s regiment credited with service 
from 1 Jan., 1781, the last entry crediting him with twelve months’ 
service from 1 Jan., 1782. 2 He was promoted corporal 1 April, 1782, 

1 G. B. Holden Ms. 

2 According to family tradition his father was a lieutenant and John accompanied him as his “waiter.” 
Both were members of Captain Green’s company, Colonel Fox’s regiment of Middlesex militia, and 
John Holden, Junior, enlisted from that company 15 July, 1779, into Bancroft’s company, as stated 
above. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


265 


and in December, 1782, was member of company commanded by 
Captain Matthew Chambers, 6th regiment (Lieut.-Col. Calvin 
Smith). There was another John Holden who had served in this 
regiment from 27 Dec., 1777 to 31 Dec., 1780. 

“In 1797 he was elected clerk of the Plantation of Otisfield. He 
settled on the west side of Pleasant Pond, on lot No. 65, then thickly 
wooded, which he cleared and made into a farm. In the winter he 
cut sawlogs which he readily sold to Saccarappa lumbermen. 

He and his wife are buried, also his father and mother, in the 
little burying ground in front of the ‘Old Meeting House,’ on 
Otisfield Hill. 

‘Otisfield Hill’ is a sightly eminence from which can be had a fine 
view of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. This is where the 
first settlers in Otisfield met for worship, and where the first Holdens 
who settled in Maine lie buried. A short description of the view 
from this hill, it is thought, will not be out of place. 

At the east lies Streaked Mountain, marked with a white track 
from top to bottom, as if the sons of Jupiter had slid down it on a 
stone drag carrying away everything in their path. Farther north, 
twelve miles distant, high up, serenely sits the village of Paris Hill, 
the county seat of Oxford County, its white church spires piercing 
the clouds. The sparkling waters of Moose and Saturday ponds lie 
between in the same direction. 

To the north at a distance of seventy miles is seen the long, blue 
hazy outline of Mt. Washington; and further west, Mounts Adams, 
Jefferson, Madison, and the sugar loaf Kearsarge. 

To the west, twelve miles off, lies the village of Brighton Center, 
white as a midsummer bride, against the dark background of Pleasant 
Mountain, standing silent guard over it. In the southwest, the 
glittering waters of Lake Sebago coquette with the sunshine. 

Two miles south of where we stand lies Pleasant Pond, a lake 
three miles long, surrounded by its broad beach of white sand. 
Further east are seen the darker waters of Thompson Pond, a lake 
eight or ten miles long. Between the mountains and the hill at our 
feet may be seen farms and fields, with here and there a grove which 
shelters and shields some cozy farm house from the blasts and storms 
of winter.” 1 

16452 Captain Daniel (John, Samuel , Samuel , Richard ), born 
15 Oct., 1763, at Stoneham, Mass.; 2 died 23 July, 1849, 3 at Sweden, 
Maine; married 21 June, 2 1787, Elizabeth Hill of Reading, died 
6 Jan., 1823, aged 59 years, 10 months ( g.s . at Sweden). 

He married, second, Polly Hill. 

1 G. B. Holden Ms. , J 

2 G. B. Holden Ms. The births of the children were recorded at Otiaheld. 

3 Papers in Pension case. 


266 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


He married, third, 25 Nov., 1832, at Westbrook, Maine, 1 Mrs. 
Statira Whiteman, born 1775. 1 

He was enumerated in 1790, at Stoneham, his family consisting of 
self, wife, and one male under sixteen. 

Children : 2 

1- 1 Rowland, born 26 June, 1788, at Stoneham; died 28 May, 1845; 

married Dorcas Plummer. 

2- 2 Daniel, born 19 Nov., 1792, at Malden; died 6 Aug., 1838; married 

Sally P. Walker. 

3 Harriet, born 11 June, 1794, at Malden; married James Stone of 

Sweden, Maine. 

4 Elizabeth, born 12 Jan., 1797, at Hillsboro, N. H.; married Jabez 

Parker of Reading. 

5 Mary, born 14 March, 1804, at Otisfield; married Benjamin Webber 

of Sweden. 

In 1794 he purchased seventy acres on the west side of the road 
from Hillsborough Bridge to the meeting house, adjoining other land 
he owned, and was assessed there in 1795, but he sold this farm, 
110 acres, 12 Jan., 1798. He described himself as a tailor, and at 
the time of his purchase was of Malden. 3 

Although he had learned the trade of a tailor, he became a 
farmer. After living in several places, he settled in Maine about 
1800, going first to Otisfield, where he was taxed in 1801. He 
owned the first wagon in Otisfield. He bought land there 11 Aug. 
1798. 4 He was a prominent man in town and county; selectman 
1800-17, except 1804-6, justice of the peace, and deputy to the 
General Court of Massachusetts. According to the deposition of his 
stepson, he was living in 1832 at Westbrook. In 1803 the town 
records describe him as lieutenant, and in 1809 as captain. He 
ultimately exchanged farms with his brother Philo and removed to 
Sweden. 

He enlisted in July, 1779, for nine months, to the credit of Mystic, 
and is described as sixteen years of age, light complexion, five feet 
one inch in height. He reenlisted 1 Nov., 1779, being then seventeen 
years of age, five feet 4 inches in height, for during the war, to the 
credit of Stoneham. 5 He served during the first enlistment in Captain 
Brook’s company, Colonel Stearns’ regiment, and during the second 
as matross in Burbeck’s company, Crane’s Artillery. 

In 1818 Daniel Holden of Sweden “aged fifty-five years’’ applied 
for a pension, and his papers on file give the following information: 

After serving about six months, he enlisted on the first of November, 
1779, for during the war, into Captain Henry Burbeck’s company of 
artillery, belonging to Colonel Crane’s’ regiment, commanded by 

1 Papers in Pension case. 

2 G. B. Holden Ms. The births of the children were recorded at Otisfield. 

3 Hillsboro Deeds. 4 Middlesex Deeds, 34:626. 5 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 



Captain Daniel Holden 

From portrait in possession of Mrs. Emma W. (Holden) Woodbury 







FIFTH GENERATION 


267 


General Knox, and served in this situation till the ninth of June, 
1783, when he was discharged by General Washington — which 
discharge is hereunto annexed. 

In 1828 he made further declaration, asserting he was a bombadier 
in Crane’s regiment and had received a certificate “for the reward 
of eighty dollars.” He was not then on the pension list. In 1840 he 
was living with Luther Holden at Sweden. He was known as Esquire. 

Mrs. Statira Holden, resident of Pawtucket, June 25, 1853, aged 
seventy-eight years, applied for a pension. She was married 25 Nov., 
1832; her husband died July 23, 1849. She is now a widow; said 
Holden was her third husband; her second husband’s name was 
Whiteman. 

William C. Whiteman, of Colchester, Vermont, aged thirty-eight 
years, deposed that Mrs. Statira Holden of Pawtucket, formerly of 
Sweden, Maine, was his mother. He witnessed her marriage at 
Westbrook, Maine, on Sunday, at the house of said Holden, by the 
Rev. Mr. Jewett, then a resident of said town. My mother has 
resided since 1851 with my brother in Pawtucket. 

16455 Jesse {John, Samuel, Samuel, Richard ), bom 17 May, 
1769, at Stoneham, 1 Mass.; died 16 Jan., 1860, at Mt. Vernon, 
Maine; married 9 Dec., 1805, 1 at Malden, Sally Dyer, born 10 
Nov., 1797, 2 died 14 Sept., 1849, at Farmington, Maine, 1 daughter 
of Joseph and Sally (Merritt) Dyer. 2 

Jesse Holden manufactured shoes in Malden, in which his sons 
helped. In 1837 he removed to Maine. He and his wife are buried 
in Malden. 1 

Children, bom at Malden: 1 

1-1 Jesse, born 5 Dec., 1806; died 1892; married Mary Oliver. 2 

2 Elisha, born 31 July, 1808; died 22 April, 1864, at Chelsea, s.p.; 

buried at Malden; married 1 Dec., 1831, Betsey Rich, born 1811, 
died 19 Aug., 1868, daughter of Captain Henry and Chloe (Smith) 
Rich of Malden. 3 

3 Esther, born 7 Oct., 1809; died aged about ten years. 

4 Sally Dyer, born 29 March, 1810; died 15 Feb., 1811. 2 

5- 5 Alvah, born 22 Dec., 1811; died 24 March, 1896; married Betsey 

Stevens. 

6- 6 Elijah, born 1 or 18 Jan. (Nov. 4 ), 1814; died ; married 

Lucy Hall. 

7 Sarah, born 25 June, 1815; died 14 March, 1839; married 28 April, 
1833, William Waitt of Malden, who married again and had 
three children. 

Children: 3 

1. William Otis Waitt, born 30 May, 1834, at Malden. 

i F. A. Holden Ms., also F. D. Holden. 2 R. W. Holden Ms. Information of Warren F. Holden, 1912. 
3 F. A. Holden J/s.’quoting Winslow Genealogy, p. 194. . _ 4 ^’ in P^ ect °, ry \ 

s R W Holden credits her with another child. Sarah Frances Waitt, born 9 Jan., 1848 (sic), adopted 
by her uncle Elisha Holden. According to the Bullock Ms., this child was Sarah Elizabeth, born 4 March, 
1839. (See Malden records.) 


268 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


8 Elizabeth, born 24 Sept., 1817; married Albert Stevens of East 

Boston, where she lived after his death. 

9 David Jones, born 9 Aug., 1822; died 17 Sept., 1840, at Malden. 

16456 Nathan {John, Samuel, Samuel, Richard), born 22 Aug., 
1773, 1 at Stoneham; died 11 March, 1853 (1863), at Malden; married 
9 Feb., 1797, at Reading, 2 Esther Damon of Reading, who died 
9 July, 1847, at Casco, Maine, and was buried at Reading, 1 born 
3 Nov., 1761, daughter of Jabez and Lucy Damon of Reading. 2 
“Esther, wife of Deacon Nathan Holden died 9 July, 1847, 
in her eighty-sixth year ( g.s . at Reading). 3 

He married, second, 5 Alar., 1849, at Falmouth, Alaine, Anna 
Marston. 4 

Nathan Holden was a carpenter and master-builder, and lived 
many years at Alalden, also several places in Alaine. 1 He and his 
wife Esther were admitted to Otisfield Church, July, 1843. 

Children, born at Alalden: 1 

1-1 Aaron, born 30 Sept., 1797; died 8 April, 1886; 5 married Esther 
Webber. 

2 Nathan Damon, born 1 Nov., 1799; died 1 Nov., 1822, at Providence, 

R. I., unmarried. Buried in Alalden. 

3- 3 William Parker, twin with Nathan D., died 11 Nov., 1889; married 

Lydia Brigham. 

16457 Peter {John, Samuel, Samuel, Richard ), born 14 Alarch, 

1775, at Stoneham; died 7 Alarch, 1844, at Sweden, Alaine; married 
28 Feb., 1797, at Alalden, Hannah Watts Brintnall, born 14 Aug., 

1776, at Chelsea, baptized 29 Sept., 1776; died (after 1856), at 
Sweden, Alaine, daughter of Benjamin and Rachel (Watts) Brintnall 
of Chelsea. 

Children: 6 

1- 1 Benjamin Brintnall, born 16 Sept., 1798; died 1882; married 

Hannah Dunham. 

2- 2 Peter, born 6 July, 1800, at Otisfield; died 28 Nov., 1878; married 

Lucy B. Dunham. 

3 Phebe, died young. 

4- 4 Ezra, born 3 Aug., 1803, at Otisfield; died 20 Alarch, 1846; married 

Almira Webster Lincoln. 

5 Nancy, died young. 

6-6 Liberty, born 8 Jan., 1808, at Sweden; died Dec., 1881; married 
Sally Cox Stearns. 

7 Rachel Webster, born 1812, at Sweden; died ; married 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. 2 Reading records. 

3 G. B. Holden Ms. Samuel Knight noted in his diary under date of 4 July, 1847: “ Auld Nathan Holden’s 
wife of Casco is buried today.” Mr. G. B. Holden thought the burial was not in Otisfield. 

4 Statement of William O. Holden. 6 Bullock Ms. 

6 F. A. Holden Ms. The births of Peter Holden, his wife and two eldest children are recorded at 
Otisfield. 



Lowestoft China, Presented to Hannah Brintnall on Marriage to Peter Holden 
Bought in England by her uncle, a ship-master. Now in possession of Dean Hawley Holden 






FIFTH GENERATION 


269 


James Whitney, born 1809, at Bridgton, Maine, living 1877, at 

Denmark, Maine, a farmer. 1 

Children: 1 

1. John C. Whitney, born 1836, at Bridgton. 

2. Eli W. Whitney, born 1840, at Bridgton. 

3. Elden S., born 1844, at Sweden. 

4. Zebina G., born 1847, at Denmark. 

5. Elenor F., born 1850, at Denmark. 

8- 8 James Hasson, born 2 April, 1810, at Sweden; died 1877; married 

Lucy Whitcomb. 

9- 9 Nathan W., born 1816, at Sweden; died 21 Sept., 1860; married 

Harriet A. Richardson. 

10 Hannah; married William Nevers of Sweden, son of Samuel Nevers. 

Children : 1 

1. Alonzo J. Nevers, born 18 July, 1842, at Sweden; married Rose 

Hill, daughter of Daniel K. and Nancy P. (Hall) Hill. 1 

He was a manufacturer of piano and organ keys. 

2. Peter Nevers. 

3. William Marshall Nevers, born 1828, at Sweden; died-; 

married 1856, Mary E. D. Sanders. They lived at 

Fryeburg, Maine. 

4. Ezra Nevers, died. 

5. Nathan Nevers, died. 

6. Benjamin Nevers, lived at Sweden. 

7. Holden Nevers, lived at Fryeburg. 

8. Esther Nevers, died. 

9. Abigail Nevers, died. 

10. Mary Nevers, died. 

11. Phebe Nevers, married Orin Maxwell of Sweden. 

11 Eli, died in Philadelphia, where he wasa jeweler. He left children. 

Peter Holden removed to Otisfield, Maine, where it is said he 
built a house near Chambers' Corner; thence to Sweden. He jour¬ 
neyed on horseback into the wilderness, accompanied by his wife 
and son Benjamin. Their cooking was done in the open for six 
weeks until the house was built, in the erection of which his wife 
assisted. There was a house-warming the night the house was ready, 
and the family was agreeably surprised by a visit from three of 
Mr. Holden’s brothers and their wives. 1 In 1896 this farm was 
known as the Patch place, occupied by Tarbell Patch’s daughter, 
Mrs. Cornelia Andrews. John Holden of Otisfield, gentleman, con¬ 
veyed to Peter Holden of Otisfield, 30 April, 1800, one-half of one 
hundred acres, Lot 86, 2d Division. Sibyl Holden joined, and the 
witnesses were Peletiah March and Henry Holden. 2 

Sweden was settled in 1794, the first settler being Samuel Nevers 
from Burlington, Mass., who was living in his ninety-first year, and 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. 

2 Cumberland Deeds, 37:98. 



270 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


whose son married Hannah Holden. He was followed by Benjamin 
Webber from Bedford, Jacob Stevens from Rowley, Andrew Wood¬ 
bury and Micah Trull from Tewksbury, and Peter Holden from 
Malden. Nevers and Trull, Mrs. Holden and Mrs. Woodbury were 
living in January, 1857, on the farms originally occupied by them. 1 

The signers from Sweden, to the petition for separation from 
Massachusetts, presented to the General Court to assemble 4 May, 
1819, were: Samuel Nevers, Benjamin Webber, Thaddeus Bemis, Jr., 
William Nevers, Ebenezer Stevens, Andrew Woodbury, William 
Nevers, Jr., Abraham Maxwell, Micah Trull, Nahum Maxwell, 
Dominicus Frost, Nathaniel Flint, James Flint, John H. Grant, 
Oliver Haskell, Reuel Tower, Samuel Nevers, Jr., Asa Nevers, 
Nathan Holden, Aaron Holden, Peter Holden and Daniel Charles. 

V 

16459 Ezra 2 {John, Samuel, Samuel, Richard), born 11 April 
1782, at Stoneham; died 25 March, 1853, at Malden; married 19 
April, 1804, at Malden, Phebe Nichols, born 22 Feb., 1779, died 
7 Oct., 1868, at Malden, 3 daughter of John and Phebe (Oakes) 
Nichols. Mrs. Holden at her death was the oldest native of Malden. 
Her mind was clear and her recollections of long past generations 
very distinct. She w T as a descendant in the sixth generation from 
James Nichols of Malden, 1660, and in the fifth generation from 
Thomas Oakes of Cambridge, 1642. Ezra Holden learned the shoe¬ 
maker’s trade, and continued in this business as it developed into 
one of New England's great industries. 

Children, born at Malden: 

1-1 Ezra, born 15 April, 1805; died 1 July, 1874; married Lucy Shute. 

2 Phebe, born 27 May, 1807; died 17 May, 1845; married (intention 

25 March, 1826), Anthony Lovett, born 18 May, 1804, in Boston, 
died 13 Dec., 1886. He married (2) Mary Ann Wait. 

3 Child, born and died 15 Feb., 1809. 

4- 4 Eli, born 7 May, 1810; married Phebe Siiute. 

5- 5 Dana, born 20 Oct., 1812; died 6 Sept., 1887; married Almira 

Cowdry; (2) Mrs. Ellen S. (Pond) Page. 

6 Mary Lynde, born 13 April, 1815; died 29 May, 1830. 

7 Hannah Sargent, born 30 July, 1817; died 17 Dec., 1869; married 

28 Dec., 1854, Caleb Waite of Malden, born 16 Jan., 1808, living 
1878 at Malden , 4 son of Thomas and Hannah (Cheever) Waite. 
Their children died in infancy. 

8 Mary Hussey, born 18 Dec., 1820; died 29 March, 1894, unmarried. 

1645J Philo 5 {John, Samuel, Samuel, Richard), born at Malden, 
Mass.; died at Otisfield, Maine; married Martha Reed, born at 

1 See Coolidge and Mansfield: History and Description of New England. 

2 This family record is from the Ms. of F. A. Holden who had the assistance of D. P. Corey, historian 

of Malden. 3 Bullock Ms. 4 Corey: Waite Family. 

5 The record of this family is chiefly from the F. A. Holden Ms. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


271 


Otisfield, died at Casco, 1 Maine, daughter of William (or ? Samuel) 
and Martha (Tarbel) Reed of Groton. 2 

Philo Holden “accompanied his brother Peter to Sweden, Maine, 
in 1797, and on his return to Otisfield fell from his horse, broke both 
hips, one fracture being double. He remained at Harrison until able 
to be taken home.” He lived in Sweden, but exchanged farms with 
his brother Captain Daniel, who had lived in Otisfield. 3 
Children (probably born in Sweden) : 4 

1 Sophia, born 1808 (1807) ; 4 married James J. Knight of Otisfield, 

and lived at Peoria, Ill. 

Children: 5 

1. James Bradley Knight. 

2. Eliza Billings Knight. 

3. Harvey Mayberry Knight. 

4. Elijah Knight. 

5. Aaron Holden Knight. 

6. Catherine Knight. 

7. Betsey Sophia Knight. 

8. Mark Knight. 

9. Daniel Holden Knight. 

2 Martha, born 1810 (1811 4 ); married Ebenezer Bussell of Otisfield, 

and lived at Ashland. 

Children : 5 

1. Ellis Bussell. 

2. Georgiana Bussell. 

3. John Eastman Bussell. 

4. Martha E. Bussell. 

3-3 Daniel, born 1812 (1813); 4 married Eliza Phinney, of Raymond, 
Maine. 

4 Tarbel, born 1815; died 1842, 3 unmarried. 4 
5-5 Aaron B., born 31 Jan., 1817; died 15 March, 1889; married Hannah 
H. Eastman. 


18651 Captain John (. Nathaniel , Jonathan , John , Richard ), 
born 14 April, 1764, at Dunstable, Mass.; died at Nashua, N. H., 
21 Jan., 1833; married 18 April, 1786, at Nashua, N. H., 6 Susanna 
Thompson, born 30 Oct., 1767, at Dunstable, Mass., died 19 Oct., 
1830, at Hollis, N. H., daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Swallow) 
Thompson. 7 

Children: 

1 Susanna, born 24 Feb., 1793, at Tyngsboro, Mass.; died 24 July, 1866, 
at South Merrimack, N.H.; married 21 Aug., 1815, at Tyngsboro, 6 
David Elliot, born 6 Sept., 1789, at Dublin, N. H., died 30 April, 
1871, at South Merrimack, son of John and Rachel (Nutting) Elliot. 8 


1 Casco was formerly part of Raymond. , . „ r . ,, T , 

2 G B Holden Ms. Samuel Reed was kdled by lightning at W indham, July, 178A 

s Bullock Ms. * G. B. Holden Ms ‘ R. W.Holden Ms « Town records. 

’Record of this family from F. A. Holden Ms., agreeing with record of Austin Holden. 

8 Austin Holden papers. 


272 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children 9 

1. John Holden Elliot, born 18 Oct., 1815, at Amherst, N. H.; 

died there 4 May, 1825. 

2. Susan Elliot, born 22 Sept., 1818, at Amherst; died 31 Oct., 

1891; married 30 Nov., 1853, Jeremiah Needham of Hollis. 
She died at Brookline, N. H. 

3. Jane Elliot, born 22 April, 1822; died 26 May, 1868, at Nashua; 

married Fifield H. Messer of Nashua. 

4. David Burns Elliot, born 6 Sept., 1824, at Amherst; died 11 

March, 1865, at South Merrimack; married Nancy Ridder. 

5. John Holden Elliot, born 8 March, 1827; died Feb., 1841, at 

Amherst. 

6. Charles Carroll Elliot, born 20 Jan., 1829; died 11 Oct., 1830, 

at Amherst. 

2 John, born 1 March, 1795, at Tyngsboro; died there 17 Aug., 1813. 

3- 3 James, born 23 July, 1796, at Tyngsboro; died 22 Aug., 1829; married 

Charlotte Butterfield. 

4- 4 Nathan Thompson, born 19 June, 1798; died 24 Feb., 1834; married 

Betsey Baldwin. 

5 Abigail Woods, born 13 Feb., 1800, at Tyngsboro; died 31 May, 
1854, at Nashua; married 13 (11) Feb., 1819 at Tyngsboro, Daniel 
Buell, born 29 March, 1794, at Newport, N. H., died there 3 
March, 1841, son of Matthew and Mary (Nevers) Buell. 

Children, born at Newport, except the two youngest: 

1. Eliza Ann Buell, born 2 Jan., 1820; died 28 March, 1869, at 

Nashua; married Benjamin F. Piper of Newport. 

2. Charles Henry Buell, born 4 Aug., 1821; died during the Civil 

War, circumstances unknown; married Elmira Cummings 
of Westford, Mass. 

3. John Holden Buell, born 28 March, 1823; married 22 Sept., 1847, 

Abigail Putnam Cram of Nashua. Lived in Clawson, Mich. 

4. James Franklin Buell, born 11 March, 1825; died 10 June, 

1863, at Amherst; married 8 Sept., 1847, Pamelia Thomas. 

5. William Page Buell, born 11 Nov., 1826; died 23 Jan., 1879, at 

Nashua; married 13 Oct., 1852, Dorothy Evelyn Avery of 
Westfield, Mass. 

6. Horace Parker Buell, born 12 July, 1828; died 12 Jan., 1882, 

at Portsmouth, Va.; married 4 Aug., 1850, Lucelia Aceri- 
eth Strickland; (2) 4 May, 1869, Emma Jane Cocke. 

7. Mary Abigail Buell, born 3 Dec., 1830; died 17 Oct., 1838, at 

Lempster, N. H. 

8. Daniel Wallace Buell, born 7 Jan., 1834; died 20 Oct., 1838, at 

Lempster. 

9. Martha Jane Buell, born 29 Aug., 1835; died 3 Feb., 1886, at 

Worcester; married 25 Oct., 1858, Edward Payson Pevey 
of Worcester. 

10. Eleanor M. Buell, born 3 Feb., 1837; died 17 April, 1837, at 
Newport. 

1 Austin Holden papers. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


273 


11. Harrison Hurd Buell, born 18 Sept., 1838, at Lempster; died 

20 Oct., 1867, at Worcester; married 18 Feb., 1859, Mary 
Elizabeth Lund of Nashua. 

12. Daniel Elmer Buell, born 29 Aug., 1840, at Lempster; died 

25 July, 1888, at Newburyport; married 24 Nov., 1868, 
Annie Elmer Spaulding. 

6 Mary Richardson, born 16 Nov., 1803; died 23 June, 1881, at 
Waltham; married 21 Sept., 1824, at Tyngsboro, Charles Parker, 
born 1802, at Dunstable, died 13 June, 1829, at Nashua, son of 
Benjamin and Elizabeth (Green) Parker. She married (2) 30 Nov., 
1856, Charles Underwood of Nashua, who died 1 Feb., 1863. 
Children, born at Nashua: 

1. Mary Elizabeth Green Parker, born 26 March, 1826, died there 

23 Feb., 1884; married 15 March, 1847, Jacob Dow March, 
of Nashua. 

2. Caroline Parker, born 11 Dec., 1827; died 28 Sept., 1889, at 

Forge Village, Mass.; married 13 Aug., 1847, Thomas Webb 
Cary, of Nashua. 

3. Elmira Parker, born 26 Jan., 1829; died 4 Feb., 1891, at Dun¬ 

stable; married 4 Nov., 1851, George Parkhurst, of Dun¬ 
stable. 

John Holden, commonly known as Captain Holden from his 
commission in the militia, was a farmer. At different periods he 
lived at Dunstable, Tyngsboro, Hollis, and Merrimack, all nearby 
towns. He was commissioned 31 May, 1776, as first lieutenant in 
the 5th (Butterfield’s) company (“east company in Dunstable”) 
of the 7th Middlesex regiment, Colonel Simeon Spaulding. 1 He is 
probably that John Holden of Dunstable who served as a private 

24 Aug. to 27 Nov., 1781, in company commanded by Captain Asa 
Drury, Colonel Turner’s regiment, called on for service in Rhode 
Island . 2 

Administration on his estate was granted 6 Feb., 1833, he being 
described as Dunstable, gentleman, to Charles G. Atherton, at request 
of the widow “Lydia.” 

18654 Nathaniel ( Nathaniel , Jonathan , John , Richard ), born, 

25 Jan., 1769, at Dunstable, Mass.,; died 19 July, 1837, at Tyngsboro, 
Mass.; married 30 May, 1799, at Reading 3 Rebecca Upton, born 13 
Dec., 1768, at Lynnfield, Mass., died 18 Nov., 1832, at Tyngsboro, 
daughter of Abraham and Susanna (Upton) Upton. 4 

Nathaniel Holden was a blacksmith and farmer, and lived on 
the homestead formerly his father’s. He was commissioned lieutenant 
in the militia. 

Children, born at Tyngsboro ; 4 

1 Rebecca, born 24 April, 1800; died 6 Feb., 1867, at Tyngsboro. 

J Council records. 2 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

3 Tyngsboro Vital Records. 4 F. A. Holden Ms., and papers of Austin Holden. 


274 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


2- 2 Elias Upton, born 25 Dec., 1802; died 23 March, 1844; married Sally 

Williams. 

3- 3 Nathaniel, born 27 Dec., 1803; died 11 Jan., 1841; married Rebecca 

Bryant. 

4 Mary, born 15 Sept., 1805; died 4 Aug., 1881, at Tyngsboro; married 

5 June, 1828 (intention at Andover), John Stevens Wilson, born 
25 Sept., 1804, at Salem; died 16 Jan., 1844, at Tyngsboro, son of 
John and Mary (Punchard) Wilson. 

Children: 

1. Rebecca Ann Wilson, born 4 June, 1838, at Philadelphia; married 

11 Dec., 1873, Melvin Vinen Horton of Tyngsboro. 

2. Mary Josephine Wilson, born 8 March, 1840, at Philadelphia; 

married 5 Oct., 1892, John Parham Coburn, and lived at 
Tyngsboro in the house built by Captain Nathaniel Holden, 
her great-grandfather. 

3. Charles Augustus Wilson, born 11 Sept., 1841, at Philadelphia; 

died 30 Dec., 1866, at Lawrence, Mass. 

5 Charles, born 30 March, 1809; died 26 Nov., 1833, at Tyngsboro. 

6 Sarah, born 10 Dec., 1810; died 9 Sept., 1813. 

18657 Jonathan (. Nathaniel , Jonathan , John , Richard ), born 
27 March, 1778, at Dunstable ; 1 died 27 Jan., 1860, at Tyngsboro; 
married 10 April, 1803, at Tyngsboro , 2 Elenor Weld, a resident of 
Tyngsboro. She is described as Ellen in the marriage intention. 

Children: 

1 Eliza Ann, “daughter of Jonathan,” baptized 7 Aug., 1803, at 

Tyngsboro. 

2 John. 2 

18658 Silas (Nathaniel, Jonathan , John , Richard ), born 14 Dec., 
1783, at Dunstable; died 4 May, 1866, at Tyngsboro; married 30 May, 
1813, at Tyngsboro, Polly Coburn, born 22 Aug., 1791, at Tyngs¬ 
boro, died there 20 May, 1861, daughter of John and Polly (Bailey) 
Coburn . 3 

Children, born at Tyngsboro : 3 

1 A son, born and died 1 Aug., 1814. 

2 John, born 3 Sept., 1815; died 12 Jan., 1833. 

3 Mary Jane, born 5 July, 1817; died 26 Jan., 1818. 

4 Mary Jane, born 14 Jan., 1819; died 20 Oct., 1821. 

5 Silas, born 10 Dec., 1820; died 19 Jan., 1892; 4 married 30 Nov., 

1847, at Nashville (Nashua), N. H., 5 Betsey Brown, born 7 June, 
1818, at Milford, N. H., died 22 June, 1892, daughter of Caleb and 
Betsey (Coburn) Brown. Mr. Holden was a carpenter, and he and 
his wife were well known in North Chelmsford, being “a handsome 
old couple” and much devoted to one another. Mr. Holden died 
of heart trouble, and his wife the day of the funeral. No children. 

1 Town records. 2 F. A. Holden Ms. 3 F. A. Holden Ms. and Austin Holden papers. 

4 New Hampshire Vital Statistics. Silas and his wife were buried at Nashua. 6 Vital Statistics 


FIFTH GENERATION 


275 


6 Elizabeth, born 2 May, 1823; died 29 May, 1879, at Macon, Ga.; 

married 25 Dec., 1845, Earlsworth Crockett. 

Children: 

1. Leroy E. Crockett, born 4 May, 1848, at Lowell, Mass.; died 

30 Dec., 1882. 

2. Oscar Holden Crockett, born July, 1852, at Attapulgus, Ga. 

3. Georgie E. Crockett, born 26 Aug., 1854, at Lawrence, Mass. 

4. Charles Winthrop Crockett, born 6 Oct., 1862, at Macon; 

married 1 Dec., 1887, Minnie M. Haydock, of Troy, N. Y. 
He was one of the faculty of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 
teaching mathematics and astronomy. 

7 Clarissa, born 25 June, 1825; died 30 Dec., 1891, at Windham, 

N. H.; married 3 Feb., 1847, at North Chelmsford, Samuel Alex¬ 
ander, born 9 Oct., 1819, at Windham, died 10 March, 1897, son 
of David and Abbie (Smith) Alexander. 

Child: 

1. Nellie May Alexander, born 12 April, 1861; married 20 April, 
1893, Charles O. Parker of Windham. 

8 Mary Ann, born 2 June, 1827; died 12 Nov., 1904, at Windham, 

N. H., unmarried, where she had lived for about forty years. 

9 Charles Winthrop, born 24 May, 1829; died 9 Nov., 1847. 

J-10 William, born 10 June, 1833; died 20 Feb., 1853; married Mary 
E. Swan. 

K-ll Henry Augustus, born 11 May, 1835; died 18 Oct., 1900; married 
Sarah Jane Minter. 

19243 John ( Caleb , John , Stephen , Richard ), born November, 
1752, at Shirley; married Abidal. 

Children; 

1 Abigail, “daughter of John and Abidal,” born 4 Nov., 1778, at 

Charlemont . 1 

2 John B., who was enumerated in the census of 1810 as of Sidney, 

Delaware County, N. Y., aged between twenty-six and forty-five, 
with wife of same age, a daughter aged between ten and sixteen and 
two sons under ten. Sidney is just south of Unadilla which is on 
the northern side of the Susquehanna River, just above the junction 
with the Unadilla. 

John Holden was warned from Deerfield, 11 Dec., 1765 or 1766, 
the same month as his father Caleb, and then described as “last from 
Pepperill.” 

John Holden of Shelburne enlisted 10 May, 1777, in company 
commanded by Captain Lawrence Kemp, Colonel David Wells’ 
Hampshire regiment. He served in the Northern Department, and 
was discharged 17 July. He reenlisted 22 September and served in 
the same department until 23 Oct., 1777. His service was credited to 
Deerfield . 2 According to a family tradition quoted by R. W. Holden, 

2 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 


1 Town records. 


276 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


John Holden was killed in the Revolution, but no record of his death 
is to be found. In 1788 John Holden of Unadilla, N. Y., sold land 
in that part of Florida township which had been granted to Bernards- 
ton, and in 1795 John Holden of Charlemont bought land on Florida 
Mountain. 1 

19245 Caleb (Caleb, John, Stephen, Richard), born 13 July, 
1767, at Shelburne; 2 died 5 Oct., 1836, 2 probably at Luzerne, N. Y.; 
married 1791, Anna Lindsey, born 23 Aug., 1771, “daughter of a 
neighbor on the then frontier of civilization." 2 
Children; except two eldest, born at Luzerne: 2 

1 Polly, born 10 May, 1793; died in Iowa; married Isaac Barrass, 3 

and settled at Jamestown, N. Y.; (2) Rev. Durfee, a Baptist 
clergyman, and removed to Iowa. 

Children : 2 

1. Betsey Barrass, married Willard W’hipple. 

2. Adin Barrass. 

3. Rosetta Barrass. 

4. Anna Barrass. 

5. Infant Durfee, born in the fifty-first year of his mother’s life, 

died soon. 

2 Sally, born 2 Oct., 1794; married 6 Oct., 1811, Lyman Sage, who 

was drowned while acting as a pilot on the river above Glenns 
Falls, N. Y., 1836. 

Children : 2 

1. Polly Sage, born 17 Aug., 1812; married Cyrus Bruce. 

2. Caleb Sage, born 25 July, 1814; married Almira Hartman. 

3. Sally Sage, born 30 Oct., 1816; died Sept., 1836, unmarried. 

4. Phebe Ann, born June, 1819; married March, 1838, David 

Kingsley. 

5. Clarissa Sage, born 1821 ; married March, 1838, Thomas Putnam. 

6. Orrin Sage, born 22 Oct., 1824; married Amanda Crannell. 

7. Nestor Sage, born Dec., 1826; married Susan Gray. 

8. Paulina Sage, born 1830; married John Tooley. 

9. Solomon Sage, born 1832; died 1847. 

10. Sally Ann Sage, born 4 Jan., 1837; married Halsey Smith. 

3 Betsey, born 18 Aug., 1796; married Reuel Nimms. 

4 Anna, born 7 Sept., 1798; died young. 

5 Samuel L., born 15 July, 1800; died s.p married Clara Farnsworth; 

(2), 3 April, 1837, Adaline (Kennedy) Nichols, widow of J. 
Nichols, by whom she had three children. In 1867 they were living 
at W r alnut Fork, Jones County, Iowa. 

6 Anna, born 24 Feb., 1803, married John Clothier of Luzerne. 

7 Billy Pitcher, born 9 April, 1805; married Hannah Nims of Hadley. 

1 Information of a correspondent at North Adams, who examined deeds. Qy.: Is 1705 date of deed 
or of record? See John of Northfield. 

3 F. A. Holden Ms., probably information of Mrs. Cynthia Call, 1867, Galesburgh, Jasper County, Iowa. 
See Wentworth Genealogy, 1:641. No. 1342. 

* Barrass was often written for Barrows. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


277 


Child (he is reported to have had several children) i 1 
1. Silas. 1 

8 Eunice, born 10 Sept., 1807; married 9 Sept., 1838, Thomas Place. 

Seven children. 

9 Cynthia, born 15 Dec., 1809; died s.p .; married Stephen Call of 

Corinth. In 1867 living at Galesburgh, Iowa. 

J-10 James Lindsey, born 25 Aug., 1812; died 12 June, 1846; married 
Eunice Nimms. 

% 

11 Ruth, born 2 April, 1815; married David Ogden; three children. 

12 Daniel L., born 13 Feb., 1828; married Harriet Parker of Bolton, 

N. Y.; (2) Maria Reynolds. Two children by first and three 
children by second marriage. 1 

19246 Elihu ( Caleb , John , Stephen , Richard ), born 1770; died 
1843, “on Catamount Hill, aged 73 years,” 2 in Colrain; married 
Abigail, who was living in 1829. 

Children: 

1 Alvarus, died 19 Sept., 1853, at Colrain, aged 58. 3 Aged 54, 1850, 4 

when he was described as “laborer,” having in his family, Nancy 
(his wife), aged 56, and Rebecca, aged 17. His wife, Nancy, died 
4 May, 1853, aged 60 vears. 3 
Child: 

1. Rebecca, born 1833; died Dec., 1871, on Catamount Hill; 2 

married- Frazier. 

2. (P)Rosetta E., aged between 15 and 20 in 1855, 4 when she was 

member of family of Elvira Call of Colrain. Rosetta Holden 
of Heath married Spencer Estes of Colrain, 9 Dec., 1855, 
at Stamford, Vt. See below, note numbered 5. 

2 Dolly, born 11 Jan., 1800, at Colrain; died 21 Dec., 1875; 2 married 

(intention 1 Jan., 1830) Abram Farnsworth of Colrain. 

Child: 

1. Roxy Farnsworth, living 1901; married Orren B. Davenport 
of Buckland or Hawley. 2 

3-3 Elihu, 6 born 1806; 4 died 14 Dec., 1869; married Olive Sturtivant; 
(2) Patience; (3) Judith Elmore. 

4 John, minor in 1829; married Mary Ann, whose estate was admin¬ 

istered upon 17 June, 1836. Inventory of estate of John Holden 
of Colrain 30 July, 1836, disclosed ownership of twenty acres of 
land. No children mentioned. In 1832 he mortgaged land to his 
brother Elihu. 

5 Roxanna, minor in 1829. Roxanna Holden and Charles S. Carpenter, 

both of Colrain, Mass., were married 8 Aug., 1837, at Athens, Vt. 3 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. 

2 Letter to W. H. Holden from Mrs. Roxy F. Davenport, 1901. See page 165. 

3 Town records. The records of Colrain from about the close of the Revolution to 1820 were destroyed 
by fire. 

4 Census. 

6 There was a Jacob Elihu Holden living in Colrain, who died 1 May, 1863, intestate. Apparently he 
was born in 1824 and had wife Rosetta in 1849. Query if he was not son of Alvarus. His widow was wife 
of Joel Bass of Mariposa, Cal., in June, 1870. Her son Frederick Henry Holden, born 6 April, 1849, at 
Colrain, died 19 April, 1865, unmarried. (See Berkshire Probate.) In the census of 1850 Frederick is 
the only child named of Jacob E. and Rosetta, the last being aged 21. 



278 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Elihu Holden of Buckland received 4 Oct., 1795, from Edward 
Giles a conveyance of the interest which Caleb Holden had in the 
lands granted his father, John Holden. 1 The preceding May, Elihu 
brought suit against Caleb Holden, Jr., of Shelburne. No declaration 
is found, and the suit was discontinued. In 1807, described as of 
Colrain, he bought land there from Martin Severance, Jr. 2 On 30 
May, 1829, he granted to his son Elihu the home farm, fifty acres 
in Colrain, and twenty-five acres in Buckland, in consideration of 
support of self and wife for life, and that his daughter Dolly should 
have a home there until married, and that the younger children, 
John and Roxanna, should be supported, in return for their services, 
until of age or married. 3 

Elihu was the onlv Holden named in the Direct Tax of 1798, in 
that district in which Buckland, Greenfield, and vicinity were 
included. The family lived on Catamount Hill, and owned the 
farm in 1858. Burials were in the Farley Cemetery. In 1838, Merrick 
Sawyer, husband of Esther Holden, daughter of James Holden, 
(19248), visited his wife’s uncle Elihu Holden. 4 


19248 James ( Caleb, John, Stephen, Richard), born 22 Sept., 
1777, at Shelburne; 5 died 6 Oct. 5 (3 Oct. 6 ), 1863, at North Augusta, 
Ont., “aged 86 years, 11 days”; 6 married 14 Jan., 1805, Esther 
Call, born 29 Jan., 1789, at Colrain, died 7 May, 1813, at 
North Augusta, daughter of Elder Stephen Call, an itinerant 
Baptist preacher who is thought to have lived at or near Ballston 
Spa, N. Y. 

He married, second, 26 June, 1814, Mrs. Cynthia Troop, who 
died 3 April, 1875 (1876), 7 aged 83 years ( g.s . at Augusta), daughter 
of David Whitney. She is recalled by Mrs. Angelia (Holden) Best, 
as a very slender woman, and her husband as a very large, stout 
man. She had a son Seaman Troop. 

James Holden was a farmer. After leaving Massachusetts, he 
lived for a time in Ontario County, N. Y., but was early established 
near Prescott, Canada, living three or four miles north of the town 
on the road to Merrickville, and later, perhaps always, within the 
limits of Augusta. All his children are said to have been born at North 
Augusta. It is said that his first settlement in Canada was in 1799 
as a school teacher, and that he was later engaged in lumbering and 
making potash, but that he eventually turned his attention to farm¬ 
ing. His house was widely known as a stopping place for Methodist 
clergymen and missionaries. 


1 Berkshire Deeds, 5:505. 2 Ibid., 26:44. 

3 /5id., 73:120; 78:2. 4 Family record of Mrs. W. H. Holden, 

y he record of this family is from a Family Register in possession of W. R. Gregg of Toronto and from 
additional information furnished by Mr. and Mrs. William H. Holden of Detroit ’ ana trom 

J ^rave-stone. An obituary written by his pastor gives 2 October as date of his death. 

Diary of Mrs. Gregg, who called her fatner s good step-mother . 99 


FIFTH GENERATION 


279 


All of this family are remembered as upright, influential, energetic, 
business men. 

Children : l 

1 John, born o Oct., 1805; died March, 2 1863, at Prescott; married 
2 Sept., 1827, Cynthia Flint; (2) Lois Flint, who was married 
in 1866 at Prescott to S. B. Merrill. “One of our oldest, most 
respected, influential and wealthy inhabitants.” 3 No children. 

2- 2 Erastus, born 13 April, 1807; died Nov., 1876; married Margaret 

Hall. 

3- 3 Rufus, born 16 Jan., 1809; died 30 March, 1876; married Elizabeth 

Clement; (2) Mrs. Blacklock. 

4- 4 Hiram, born 16 Aug., 1810; died 30 Aug., 1888; married Letitia 

Buck; (2) Maria Howard. 

5 Esther, born 3 Aug., 1812; died 8 Feb., 1840, at Kemptville, Out.; 
married 19 April, 1834, at Belleville, Ont., Merrick Sawyer, 
born 2 Feb., 1808, at Heath, Mass., died 21 May, 1900, at Belleville, 
son of Oliver and Polly (Wilder) Sawyer. He married (2) in 1842, 
at Belleville, Almira Lyon. In 1838 Mr. Sawyer visited his old 
home in Massachusetts, and found Elihu Holden living at 
Colrain. The Holdens lived on one side of the mountain 

called Catamount Hill, the Sawyers on the other. Mr. Sawyer 
was a teacher and later a druggist. The school started by him for 
boys at Cobourg, Ont., became Victoria College, a Methodist 
institution, with Mr. Sawyer filling the position of bursar, in which 
he was aided by his wife. This foundation is now Victoria Univer¬ 
sity of Toronto. Giving up his school connection Mr. Sawyer tried 
farming in Kemptville. In 1840 he removed to Belleville and 
became associated with Doctor Rufus Holden. 

Children 4 born at Cobourg; 

1. Mary Esther Sawyer, born 1 Aug., 1836; died 5 May, 1889; 

married John H. Holden (No. 19249-13) q.v. 

2. James Holden Sawyer, born 11 Nov., 1838, at Kemptville; died 

4 May, 1881. He was a physician. He compiled a pedigree 
of this branch of the family, which is in possession of Mrs. 
W. H. Holden of Detroit. 

By second marriage: 

6-6 David, born 1 April, 1815; died 10 Dec., 1908; married Jane 
McFadden; (2) Mrs. — (Hammond) Walker; (3) Mrs. Brown; 
(4) Mrs. Adams. 

7 James, born 7 Dec., 1816; died 20 May, 1852; 6 married 30 March, 
1836, Chloe Wood who remarried. In 1850 he was living at or 
near Augusta in poor health. 6 
Children: 

1. Harriet, in 1920 a widow, residing in California. 

1 The record of this family is from a Family Register in possession of W. R. Gregg of Toronto, and 
from addition information furnished by Mr. and Mrs. William H. Holden of Detroit. 

2 Date of death is variously given as 22, 26, and 27 March, the last on his gravestone. 

3 Prescott Telegraph, March, 1863, which printed a brief obituary. 

4 Information of Mrs. W. H. Holden. 

3 Information of Mrs. W. H. Holden, Mrs. E. Wylie Kerr (who has several children) of Westmount, 
Que., and Mrs. Angelia H. Best (1922). «Diary of Mrs. Gregg. 


280 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


2. Rufus. 

3. John. 

8 Mary, born 3 June, 1819; died Aug., 1865; married 21 April, 1843 

Erastus Couch. Lived in Clayton, N. Y. 1 
Children : l 

1. Mary Couch, married George Williams of Ottawa, Canada. 

2. Libbie Couch, married George Fox. 

3. Cynthia Couch, married Anthony Moxon of Brockville, Ont. 

9 Emma (Amy), born 29 Sept., 1821; married- McMullen. They 

lived at North Gore, Ont. 

10 Sophronia, born 29 Aug., 1823; died 1909; married Alexander 

Craig of North Gower; an adopted son of Charles Holden, who 
established him in charge of a store in North Gower; (2) 5 Oct., 
1865, Colonel David Wylie of Brockville, born 23 March, 1811, 
died 21 Dec., 1891. 1 He was a well known Canadian journalist, 
editor of the Brockville Recorder. 

She was living in Brockville later than 1900. 

Children: 1 

• 1. Craig, a son, died in infancy. 

2. William David Holden Wylie, born 1 Sept., 1866; died-; 

married. In 1887-8 he was studying at School of Pharmacy 
in Toronto. His son David served in the Canadian Expedi¬ 
tionary Forces, as a machine gunner and in the air service. 

3. Mary Esther Wylie, born 28 Jan., 1869; married David Ross 

Kerr of the Bank of Montreal. Their son David was a 
lieutenant in the British Naval Air Service and was killed 
11 Nov., 1917, aged 21 years, 6 months. 

11 Eliza, born 14 July, 1826; married Matthew Robinson, born 12 

March, 1821. Lived on a farm between that of her father and the 
town of Prescott. 

Children : l 

1. Sophronia Robinson, born 3 Feb., 1847; married 20 Oct., 1869, 

Richard Robinson of Ontario; (2) 12 Dec., 1894, William 
Irvine. 

2. Mary Cynthia Robinson, born 14 June, 1849; died 10 July, 1852. 

3. Eliza Robinson, born 25 July, 1851; married 11 Nov., 1874, 

James Irvin of Prescott; (2) 2 Sept., 1896, Ellis Lane. 

4. Alexander Craig Robinson, born 6 Dec., 1853; married 20 Oct., 

1875, Edith Dulmage. He lives on his grandfather Holden’s 
farm. 

5. Cynthia Mary (Minnie) Robinson, born 15 Oct., 1855; married 

20 Oct., 1875, George Mallory Whitney of Merrickville. 

6. John Holden Robinson, born 30 Aug., 1859; died 19 Dec., 1862. 

7. Lois J. Robinson, born 12 May, 1862. 

8. Lulu B. Robinson, born 14 July, 1866; married 12 Sept., 1888, 

T. Orvil Dates of Lake Megantic. 

12 Cynthia, born 2 Sept., 1830; died 18 May, 1835. 

1 Information 1922 of Mrs. W. H. Holden, Mrs. E. Wylie Kerr (who has several children) of West- 
mount, Que., and Mrs. Angelia H. Best. 




FIFTH GENERATION 


281 


13 Lois, born T2 Jan . 1 (June 2 ), 1834; married George Johnston of 
Merrickville. Living in Prescott in 1919. Her sister Eliza lived 
with her in later years . 1 

19249 Jonathan ( Caleb , John , Stephen , Richard ), born at 
Shelburne, JNFass., about 1780; died at Alernckville, Ont.; married 
18 Jan., 1803, at Charlemont, 3 Sally Owen 3 of Colrain, daughter of 
Elisha and Lucretia (Hayden) Owen. 4 

Neither Jonathan Holden nor his wife were living in 1840. 5 
Children; 

-1 Charles, 4 born 11 Dec., 1807, at Balston Spa (or Galway), N. Y.; 
died 25 March, 1873; married Tamer S. Welton. 

2? James. There is a widowed daughter of James Holden, Mrs. Lorinda 
Woodrow, living at Hermon, N. Y., 1923, in her eightieth year.” 6 

3 Eliza, 4 married and was living in Oil City about 1847. 5 

4 Esther M. (perhaps identical with Eliza), married 29 July, 1824, 6 

John Rolph. 

Children , 6 (besides two died in infancy): 

1. Laura S. Rolph, died 11 March, 1900; married Jonathan Jen¬ 

kins, died 1858; (2) James Robinson, died 1869. Her son 
James E. Robinson lives in Hermon, N. Y. 

2. Louise Rolph, married 19 Oct., 1855,William D. Cleveland,born 

3 July, 1829,son of Smith and Hannah (Campbell) Cleveland. 7 

3. Stephen Rolph, married Lucy Carpenter. His daughter, Mrs. 

Bertha Stowell of Gouverneur, knew that her grandmother 
had a brother James, and that Solomon Holden kept a hotel 
at Saratoga Springs. 

4. Susan Rolph, married-Davis. 

5. ? Ainsworth Rolph, of Carthage, N. Y. 

6. Martha Ann Rolph, of Gouverneur in Feb., 1923, aged nearly 

83; married-Fuller. 

7. Lydia Rolph, of Gouverneur in 1923, aged 79; married- 

Rickerson. 

Jonathan Holden of Hadley, Saratoga County, N. Y., was in 1810 
head of a family of a male between twenty-six and forty-five (himself), 
a female of same age, and of two males and a female all under ten 
years. 

Hadley is at the junction of the Sacandaga River and the Hudson, 
and Edinburg some miles up the valley of the Sacandaga. Luzerne 
is opposite Hadley. Family tradition asserts that he at one time 
was of Edinburg. 

1 Information 1922 of Mrs. W. H. Holden, Mrs. E. Wylie Kerr (who has several children) of West- 
mount, Que., and Mrs. Angelia H. Best. 2 Family register, quoted by W. R. Gregg. 

3 Town records. See N. E. Hist. Genealogical Register, 52:340, where Jonathan Holden’s name was read 
Robbins by copyist, and date of marriage given 12 Jan. 4 Hayden Genealogy. 

5 Information of Mrs. Angelica (Holden) Best, who recalls her aunt, but never saw or heard of grand¬ 
parents or an uncle. 

6 Letter of Mrs. Belle Van Norman, Gouveneur, N. Y., daughter of Laura S. (Rolph) Jenkins, who 
has the Rolph Bible. Mrs. Stowell gave also the names Jennie and Mary as of the seven children who 
survived. Cleveland Genealogy, p. 2237. 



282 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


1924J Solomon (Caleb, John, Stephen, Richard), born 30 Aug., 
1785 1 (1786 2 ), at or near Deerfield; died 11 (7) March, 1868, at North 
Gower, Ont.; married Amy Beaman, bom 3 June, 1789, died 17 Dec., 
1826. 1 

He married, second, 12 July, 1827, Amanda M. Allen, 3 born 
24 July, 1807, died 3 Aug., 1888, at North Gower. 1 
Children, 1 born at North Augusta: 4 

1 Elias, born 26 Dec., 1808. Lived at Caliboga, Renfrew County. He 
had at least two sons and one daughter. 

2-2 James, born 3 Dec., 1809; died 1874; married Clara-. 

3 Horace, born 10 (18) Aug., 1811. He lived at Fingal, Ont., in 1881. 

Children: 

1. Clara, owned the homestead in Fingal, unmarried. 

2. Lydia, married. 

3. A son. 

4. A son. 

5. Sarah. 

6. Hattie. 

4 Amy, born 2 May, 1815; married 7 Aug., 1839, at Augusta, Mark 

Wright, born 28 Nov., 1802, died 7 Nov., 1881, in Essex County. By 
former wife, Mary Ann McNiche, he had John, Sarah Ann, Joseph 
of Sandy Creek, N. Y., and Mark Wright who went South. 
Children : 

1. Horace Wright, born 10 Jan., 1843; died 22 Dec., 1864. 

2. Cynthia Ann Wright, born 1 Aug., 1846; died 9 Jan., 1888; 

married 11 July, 1870, Andy H. Trimble; removed to western 
Canada. Several of his eight sons live near Red Deer, Alta. 

3. Albert Wright, born 9 Aug., 1840; of Pembroke, Ont., 1922: 

married Jane Ford. 

4. Edgar Wright, born 4 Oct., 1848; of Pembroke, 1922; married 

14 March, 1871, Lucy Boyce; (2) Jane Clark. 

5. Solomon H. Wright, born 14 Nov., 1844; died 8 April, 1845. 

5 Phoebe, born 30 April, 1817; died Jan., 1905, 1 at Merrickville, unm. 

6 Mary Ann, born 5 May, 1819; married 20 Jan., 1851, John Wright, 

son of Mark and Mary (McNiche) Wright. Children: 

1. William Henry Wright, born 25 Oct., 1851; died 1906 at Brock¬ 

ton, Mass.; married 1881, Mary Ann Hodson. 

2. John Frederick Wright, born 14 Aug., 1855; married Aug., 1890, 

Mary Agnes Upper; of Midale, Sask., J. P. 

7 Cynthia, born 5 (3) Feb., 1821 (Dec., 1820); died 8 March, 1899; 

married 9 Feb., 1855, at North Gower, David Barrows (Barras) 
of North Gower, an iron-founder, who died about 1882, and who 
had children by a former wife. 

1 Family Bible of Solomon Holden, now in possession of Bryon W. Holden, Yarkers, Ont. 

2 Information of Mr. Edgar Wright, who also furnished names of children of Solomon, and dates of 
birth of those by the first marriage, some slightly differing from the record in Bible. 

3 Her grandson Charles A. Blanchard believes she w as of the Ethan Allen family. 

* Information concerning this family was obtained through Mrs. W. H. Holden of Detroit, from members 
of the family. The cemetery in which the older members of the family are buried is overgrown with 
rose bushes. It was given to the town by the uncle of J. E. Craig, present Town Clerk of North Gower, 
who owned 100 acres on part of which the village now stands. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


283 


Children: 

1. Amy Alice Barrows, married 10 March, 1883, Benjamin 

Eastman, died 10 May, 1913. She removed to Ottawa. Her 
son Harold B. Eastman, born 3 Oct., 1886, died 13 Aug., 
1920 at Regina, was a graduate of Queen’s University. 

2. Anna Safford Barrows, 1 born 13 Dec., 1859, married 23 Oct., 

1877, at Lisbon, N.Y., William Hicks. In 1923 they were 
farming at Lander, Man. 

8 Lydia, born 17 June, 1823 (May, 1824); died-; married James 

Carpenter; (2) George Coleman of Potsdam, N. Y. Mrs. Herbert 
Dunbar of Potsdam is a daughter. An only child, a son, by first 
marriage died early. 

9 Solomon B., born 24 Nov., 1826; died unmarried. According to one 

correspondent he left home during the Civil W T ar and was never 
after heard from, but Mr. Edgar Wright recalls a visit by him after 
the war. It is said he was a medical student, last heard of caring 
for yellow fever patients in Louisiana. 

By second marriage: 

J-10 Charles Wilton, born 17 June, 1828; died 18 April, 1906; married 
Ruth Blanchard. 

11 Esther A., born 13 Aug., 1830; died 1 Oct., 1854, 2 at Greenbush, Ont.; 

married 19 Jan., 1851, 2 Daniel Blanchard. Lived at Greenbush. 
Child: 

1. Charles Aaron Blanchard, born 17 Sept., 1853; married Ida M. 
They live in Elizabeth, Colo. Mr. Blanchard has a daguerro- 
type of his grandfather Holden. His son Warren W. Blanchard, 
born 16 Sept., 1886, has eight children. 

12 Lois, born 15 March, 1832; died 13 Jan., 1866; married (15 Feb. 2 ), 

6 Feb., 1855, Cyrus Eastman. 

Children: 

1. Margaret Amanda Eastman, born 12 Dec., 1855; died 29 Dec., 

1874. 

2. Lois Armina Eastman, born 27 June, 1857; married 24 Dec., 

1890, William Francis Gibson. Lives in Kemptville, Ont. 

3. Esther Angelia Eastman, born 22 Dec., 1858; married 15 Feb., 

1883, David Wardrope Wallace, a physician of Ottawa, 
Canada. Her three sons, William G., Charles K., Stuart A. 
Wallace, are physicians. She lives in Ottawa. 

13 La vina, born 7 Jan., 1834; died 2 July, 1904, unmarried. 

14 Mellissa, born 25 Aug., 1836; died 19 Oct., 1893; married 1 March, 

1857, James Blanchard, a brother of Daniel Blanchard above. 
They had one or two daughters. 

15 Lenora, born 17 June, 1839; died 5 Jan., 1899, 2 a widow, at Kempt¬ 

ville; married 19 March, 1862, Andrew Callander of North Gower. 
Children: 

1. Charles Alexander Callander, born 8 Feb., 1863; died 16 April, 

1884, at Riverside, Calif. 

1 Mrs. Hicks supplied information utilized above. 

2 Family Bible of Solomon Holden. 



284 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


2. Margaret Amanda Callander, born 26 May, 1869, at North 
Gower; married 9 Jan., 1901, at Kemptville, David Wallace 
Downey, and lives at Bowmanville, Ont. 

16 Lester Elijah, born 12 April, 1843; died 1904; married 26 March, 
1868, Hannah Beaman. At one time lived in Saginaw, Mich., 
whence he removed to place unknown. “He had two sons. All 
are dead.” 

Solomon Holden is said to have walked from Massachusetts 
when he was only fifteen years of age, to Prescott, Ont., where his 
brother James was living, who aided him in finding employment. 

Solomon Holden “brother to James, came to Canada at a very 
early date, and remained some time in the LTnited Counties; finally 
settled at North Gower. His son Charles lived in Greenbush” 
(History of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario). Mrs. Best asserts he 
lived always on his farm at North Augusta, four miles from Bellamy. 
The Town Clerk of North Gower states that he lived in North 
Gower, and that his house was purchased for a rectory by the Anglican 
church. The testimony of all is that the family was respected. They 
were Methodists. Solomon Holden was a “jovial and kindly man,” 
and well remembered prior to 1858 by Mrs. Best. The death and 
birth dates where given are from gravestones at North Gower. 


19251 Amos {Amos, John, Stephen, Richard ), born 21 Sept., 1752, 
at Groton; died 16 April, 1806, at Mason, N. H.; married 20 Oct., 
1778, at Mason, Lydia Sloan. 1 2 

In 1790 he was enumerated at Mason, head of a family consisting 
of self and six females. 

Children, 2 born at Mason: 

1 Patty, born 8 June, 1779; died 12 Jan., 1814. 

2 David Sloan, born 19 Aug., 1780; died 4 May, 1784. 

3 Lydia, born 9 July, 1782; married 29 May, 1808, at Hubbardston, 

Mass., Nathaniel Gates of Barre. 2 

4 Prudence, born 12 Nov., 1784. 

5 Esther, born 1 Oct., 1787; died 24 April, 1809. 

6 Milly, born 7 Sept., 1789; died 16 Jan., 1810. 

7 Amos, born 12 Aug., 1781; married 19 Nov., 1817, at Mason, Hannah 

Barrett. Administration on his estate granted at request of 
widow Hannah, 15 March, 1823, to Jonathan Batchelder, Jr. 
He had a small estate in Mason, but was insolvent. 3 

8- 8 Aaron, born 28 June, 1793; William Goldsmith was appointed his 

guardian 3 1 April, 1812; married Rebecca Merriam. 

9- 9 Abner, born 19 April, 1795; married Eunice Barrett; (2) Rachel 

Boynton. 


1 Information of Mrs. A. M. Dunbar, who stated that there were seventeen children in all. 

2 Town records. See History of Shirley, p. 457. 3 Hillsboro County Probate. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


285 


Amos Holden responded to the Alarm of 19 April, 1775, as a 
member of the company commanded by Captain Henry Haskell, 
Colonel Prescott’s regiment. He enlisted 26 April, 1775, at Cambridge, 
in Captain Robert Longley’s company, Colonel Whitcomb’s regi¬ 
ment. He reenlisted in the same company for one year, and perhaps 
later served in company commanded by Captain R. Dodge. He 
volunteered for service in Rhode Island, and served from 1 May, 
1777, to 9 July, 1777, part of the time at Warwick Neck. 

About the time of his marriage he removed to Mason, N. H.; 
when after two years he returned to Shirley he and his family were 
“warned,” 4 Oct., 1780. He returned to Mason. The United States 
Census of 1870 enumerates at Mason, the “widow Holden” over 
forty-five years, having in her family one white male between ten 
and sixteen and one between sixteen and twenty-six, also one female 
between tw T enty-six and forty-five. In 1856, his heirs held a land 
bounty warrant for one hundred and sixty acres. 


19254 Abel (Amos, John, Stephen, Richard), born 26 (27) 
Sept., 1758, at Shirley; died there 1797, buried 4 April; 1 married 
Emma Blood of Groton. 2 He married, second, Elizabeth Henry 
of Lunenburg. 2 
Children : 2 

1-1 Abel, born 14 Feb., 1785, at Shirley; 3 married Mary Worcester. 

2 Betsey, born 1791; died 15 May, 1817, unmarried. 

3-3 Jonas, 4 baptized 1795; 5 married Nancy Kimball. 

4 William Warren, baptized 27 Aug., 1797; 5 was living in Maine in 
1877. 2 


Abel Holden responded to the Alarm of 19 April, 1775, as a member 
of the company commanded by Captain Robert Longley, Whit¬ 
comb’s regiment. He enlisted 9 May, 1775, was at Prospect Hill 
in September, and probably served until 1 Jan., 1776. He again 
enlisted 14 June, 1777, for eight months, for the town of Amherst, 
and served in Captain Sylvanus Smith’s company, Bigelow’s regi¬ 
ment, and was at Valley Forge. He again enlisted 19 Oct., 1779, 
and served until 23 Nov., 1779, in a company commanded by Captain 
John Porter, Denny’s regiment. He again enlisted 1 Jan., 1781, for 
three years, from Shirley, and is described as twenty-two years of 
age, five feet, eight inches in height, of light complexion, with light 
hair and eyes, a farmer. 6 He is said to have been a prisoner in Canada 
from 11 Nov., 1778. 7 


1 James Parker’s diary. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms., where occurs statement by Abel Holden (19254-1), that his uncle William (19254-4) 

“settled in Maine.” * Town records. 

4 Miss Lydia Maria Holden (19254-125) stated that her father visited his uncle, Jonas Holden at 
Fitchburg. 5 Bolton record. 

6 See the pension papers of his brother, John Holden, also Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

2 R. W. Holden Ms. 


286 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Under date of 5 March, 1781, James Parker of Shirley noted in 
his diary: “1 went to Sawtell’s and Inlisted Abner Holden, and sold 
him my watch.” Four days later he noted, “Sold Abel Holden my 
boots.” Doubtless his enlistment was dated back to January. 

After the war he settled temporarily in Hancock, N. H., and bought 
two acres there, 30 March, 1784, described as bounding on his land. 
He sold this lot 30 March, 1791, being then described as of Lunen¬ 
burg, Mass. 1 In 1790 he was enumerated at Lunenburg, as head of 
a family consisting of self, wife and one male under sixteen years. 
That year also, as of Lunenburg, he purchased of his brother Amos, 
the latter's share in their mother’s estate. 2 

19256 John {Amos, John , Stephen , Richard ), born 21 May, 
1764 3 (1765), 4 at Shirley; died 1847 “aged 82,” 5 at Franklin, Vt.; 6 
married 15 April, 1791, at Shirley, Sarah Sanderson, born 16 May, 
1768, died 28 Oct., 1793, at Shirley. 3 He married, second, 16 Aug., 
1794, Patience Sanderson, born 22 Aug., 1772, sister of his first 
wife, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Child) Sanderson. 7 He 
married, third, Sarah Boynton . 3 

Children : 3 

1- 1 John, born 13 March, baptized Nov., 1795 ; 8 died 29 April, 1857; 

married Rhoda Gage. 

2- 2 Artemas K., born 24 Dec., 1796, 9 (baptized Nov., 1795 8 ); married 

Abigail Gage. 

3 Tellenda (Zellinda), “of John and Patience,” baptized Nov., 

1795, at Shirley. 8 

4 Sally Sanderson, baptized Nov., 1796. 8 

5 Abel. 

6 Joel, died aged four and one-half years. 

7 Prudence; married at Ashby, Charles Cutler, born 3 Feb., 1795, 

son of Thomas and Alice (Niles) Cutler. 10 Living at Ashby in 1883. 

Two children. 

John Holden was the original of “The Little Fifer,” a story which 
was first printed in Wide Awake in 1890, and has been reprinted since 
in several publications. In his pension application he states he lived 
in Shirley for about twenty years after the Revolution. In 1789 he 
leased his father's farm for three years. In 1790 he became involved 
in a lawsuit with Joseph Moors, which he eventually won. In the 
census of 1790 he was enumerated as a member of his father’s family. 
In 1792 he purchased of Moses and Lydia Sanderson their interest 
in his mother’s estate of forty-six acres in Shirley. 11 He was a cooper. 

His service record is as follows: From May or June, 1776, for one 

1 Hillsboro Deeds, 28:7; 30:115. 2 Middlesex Deeds, 103:275. 3 F. A. Holden Ms. 

* Shirley Vital Records. 5 Statement of Joel M. Holden, 1858. 8 Chandler: History of Shirley. 

7 The marriages and family connection of the first and second wife supplied by John E. L. Hazen, 
who obtained the facts from Lunenburg records. 

8 Mrs. Bolton’s record. 9 Own statement. ^History of Lexington, pp. 48-53. “Middlesex Deeds, 110:9. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


287 


3 ear, in company commanded by Captain Derby, in the campaign 
about New York, as a fifer. From January to December, 1778, 
he served in Captain Smith s company, Jacobs’ regiment, and appears 
on the payroll of that company for November, 1778, as fifer. He 
enlisted 18 August, and was discharged 30 Nov., 1781, having 
served three months as fifer in the company commanded by Captain 
Bowker in Colonel Webb’s Continental regiment. 

Abstracts of the papers in the pension case of John Holden follow: 

17 Sept., 1833, appeared John Holden of Franklin, Vt., aged 
sixty-nine years. He entered the service at Shirley, Mass., his native 
place, May or June, 1776. He enlisted for one year as fifer and 
marched from Shirley to Cambridge and served in a company com¬ 
manded by Captain Derby, Lieutenant John Williams and Ensign 
Jenkins in a regiment commanded by Colonel Prescott and Major 
Sampson Wood; stationed at Cambridge a short time, when the 
regiment was ordered to New London and from thence by water 
to the city of New York, and was there stationed until the last of 
August or first of September, according to the best of his recollection. 
Knows it was a few days after the battle of Long Island when the 
regiment to which he belonged was ordered to a place called North 
Castle, where they lay till after the battle at White Plains, from 
thence to West Point where he remained till June and was then 
dismissed, having served one full year. 

He enlisted at Shirley in the month of January, 1778, as a fifer 
for one year under Captain John Smith; marched from Shirley to 
Boston about the first of February, and was stationed at Castle 
William and Boston till spring. Marched from thence to Rhode 
Island where he was attached to Colonel Jacobs' regiment, stationed 
a short time at Greenwich, and from thence to Butts Hill Fort, where 
he was stationed most of the time while he remained on the island. 
Was a few days on what was called “the lines” near Newport. 
Shortly after he went onto the island, the troops experienced a 
most violent storm of wind and rain, which blew down their tents 
and wet their provisions and distressed the army very much. Soon 
after the French fleet left the harbor Colonel Jacobs' regiment moved 
toward Newport and entrenched themselves in the night. The next 
morning they were attacked by the enemy and drove toward the 
north part of the island, where they were reenforced and the enemy 
driven back. A retreat was soon ordered. The Americans left the island 
the night following, about the first of September and retreated back to 
Greenwich and he was there stationed until the last of November or 
first of December, when he was discharged on account of ill health 
and returned home, having served a few days over eleven months. 

Again in the year 1781, in July, he enlisted as fifer for three months 
under Captain Bowker in Colonel Webb’s regiment. 


288 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Soon after he enlisted, he marched to Rhode Island and joined 
said regiment at Newport and served as a fifer until his three months 
expired; but at the solicitation of Captain Bowker he stayed a short 
time, until the recruits came in (he believes he stayed fifteen or 
twenty days and was then dismissed). 

He was born in Shirley in 1764. He remained in Shirley about 
twenty years after the close of the Revolutionary War, when he 
moved to Franklin, Vt., where he now resides. 

James Parker in his diary under date of 17 Feb., 1799, notes that 
“John Holden and his family run off last night,'' and 19 March, fol¬ 
lowing, that he bought of Captain T. Whitney John Holden’s house 
and land. He had been to see Holden several times recently and 
doubtless the matter was prearranged, perhaps to enable Holden to 
escape creditors, who might have imprisoned him for debt. 

18 Mch., 1818, David Sloane of Sheldon, Vt., aged seventy-eight 
years, deposed: At the commencement of the Revolutionary War, 
was a resident of Townsend, Mass., and was acquainted with John 
Holden, of Shirley. In the month of May, 1776, said Holden and two 
of his brothers enlisted for one year under Captain Derby as a fifer, 
and marched to Cambridge, Mass. I have a distinct recollection of 
his going into the service, at the time aforesaid, on account of his 
age, which was about twelve years. Much was said about his going, 
but being a good fifer and acquainted with many of the company, 
and two older brothers with him, and having the consent of his 
father, who enlisted him, he left home in high spirits, and I have 
always understood from him that he was w T ell pleased with the army. 

One circumstance I have often heard him mention; that when the 
action began on Rhode Island he stood near the entrenchment, and 
a cannon shot struck into a bank of sand and gravel and knocked 
him down and nearly covered him up. He also said that the regiment 
to which he belonged suffered more than the others that were engaged 
in the action. 

Sallie Bird of Franklin, Vt., aged sixty-eight years; that in the 
fore part of the Revolutionary War, “I lived in the family with 
John Holden in the town of Shirley. Said Holden enlisted as a fifer 
and went to Cambridge near Boston, where he stayed a short time. 
Soon after he left home news came that the troops were ordered to 
New York, and were to leave Boston in a few days. The mother of 
said H6lden, with whom I then lived, was extremely anxious to have 
his father go and see if he could not get him, the said John, released. 
His father went to Boston and saw his sons (there being two older 
brothers with the said John) and when he returned he said the 
troops were to leave in a short time, and according to my best 
recollection, they did not return until spring or fore part of summer. 
Again in the year when so many men were raised in Massachusetts, 


FIFTH GENERATION 


289 


to go to Rhode Island, he again enlisted under one Captain Smith 
and left home a short time after his enlistment. I was then living 
at his father's house and well recollect of preparing and getting his 
clothes in readiness for him to march. I was informed he was gone 
about nine or ten months and when he returned he was dressed in 
uniform, a red coat faced with blue. Again in the year in which Lord 
Cornwallis was taken,the said John enlisted and went to Rhode Island.” 


1925 K Thomas {Amos, John, Stephen, Richard ), born 30 April, 
1778, at Shirley; died 1847, at Boston, aged 69 ; l married 4 Aug., 
1801, at Boston, Nancy Bryant, born 24 Feb., 1770, at Marshfield, 
died in 1802, at Needham West Parish, aged 27 years, 2 daughter of 
Seth and Sarah Bryant. 3 He married, second, 13 March, 1803, 
at Boston, Sophia Bryant, died in 1812, at Boston. 3 He married, 
third, Hannah Baldwin, born 17 April, 1784, died 1827. 4 He mar¬ 
ried, fourth, Mary Jewett, who was living in 8156. 4 
Thomas Holden removed to Boston about 1798. 4 
Children : 4 

1 Child, born and died, 1802. 

By second marriage: 

2 George, died unmarried, between the ages of twenty and thirty 

years. He went to South America. 6 

3 Thomas, 6 died “unmarried,” between the ages of twenty and thirty 

years. 

4 Oscar, died unmarried between the ages of twenty and thirty years. 

5 Nancy, born 20 Oct., 1812; living 1876; married 15 March, 1832, 6 

George Shattuck Kinsman, born 5 Aug., 1809, at Bedford, Mass., 
died 10 Feb., 1843, son of Timothy and Lucy Stearns (Abbott) 
Kinsman. 

Children, all died in infancy: 

1. Georgiana Kinsman. 

2. George Granville Kinsman. 

3. Thomas Kinsman. 

4. Hanney Kinsman. 

By third marriage: 

6 Child, died in infancy. 

7 Henry Augustus, 5 born 5 May, 1817; died 12 March, 1839, un¬ 

married. 

8 Child, died in infancy. 

9 Child, died in infancy. 

10 Child, died in infancy. 

11 Child, died in infancy. 

By fourth marriage: 

12 Sarah, born in 1831; living 1856. 


1 Statement of Joel M. Holden, 1858. . 

2 Boston Patriot of June 24, where Thomas is styled "Captain. 

3 R. W. Holden Ms. 4 History of Shirley. 

• Artemas K. Holden (19256-2) in 1873 mentions the widow of his 
daughter, Mrs. Brackett. 


® F. A. Holden Ms. 

cousin Thomas,” and the latter’s 


290 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


1925L Joel {Amos, John, Stephen, Richard), bom 13 March, 
1780, at Shirley; died 4 Oct., 1821, at New Orleans; married in 1813, 
Eliza Collins Hookway , 1 born 15 June, 1795, died April 18, 1830. 
Children : 2 

1-1 Joel Moody, born 4 Nov., 1815; died 1 March, 1891; married Mrs. 
Elizabeth S. (Le Moyne) Jemerson. 

2 William, born in 1817; died in 1818. 

3 William S., born 9 June, 1819; died 10 Oct., 1860, in California. 

4 Thomas Baldwin, born 29 May, 1821; died about 1880; married 

Louisa B. Blanchard, born 15 Oct., 1810, died 14 May, 1888, at 
Groton, N. H., 3 daughter of Seth and Emma (Holden) Blanchard. 
“Thomas B. Holden found a home with the Shakers in early child¬ 
hood, and as he grew up became initiated into the faith and policy 
of his guardians; while yet a young man became a trusted leader 
and minister of the order, was regarded by the older brethren as 
one who would be an ornament in their denomination, and would 
exert an influence beneficial to the ‘United Friends’ beyond the 
limits of their order. But the charms of a lovely sister, who stood 
equally high with himself in the estimation of their community, 
by her amiable and winning ways, so wrought upon his heart as 
to cause him to concentrate his affections upon her, which movement 
was reciprocated by her; and thus he was led to abandon the life 
believed to be the true spiritual state.” 2 Of Boston, 1873. 


19272 Richard Stevens {Nehemiah, John, Stephen, Richard ), 
born 14 April, 1761, at Shirley; died 31 Dec., 1831, at Cincinnati, 
Ohio; married 5 Oct., 1784, Mary Green of Peppered. 

He married, second, 2 Jan., 1797, Abigail Farrington of Lynn, 
born there 8 June, 1766, died prior to 1820, daughter of John and 
Hannah (Hawkes) Farrington. 

Children : 4 

1 Charlotte, living May, 1787. 

2 Mary Green, born 1792; died June, 1846, at Charlestown; married 

(intention 6 Nov., 1814) Frederick Solis of Charlestown, a 
morocco dresser. 

Children: 

1. Frederick Solis, died young. 

2. Henry Solis, died young. 

3 Richard, born 1793; drowned in a well, at Charlestown, 29 April, 

1801, aged eight years. 

By second marriage: 

4 Abby, born 13 May, 1798; died 13 Feb., 1871; married 9 Feb., 1823, 

at Chelsea (that part Revere) Israel Tuttle, born 10 June, 1791, 
died 16 March, 1867. 


1 It is said her father was an emigrant and on settling in America 
was known as Collins. Letter to F. A. Holden. 

3 Town records. 

4 Record of this family from the F. A. Holden Ms. 


dropped the name Hook way, and 
2 History of Shirley. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


291 


Children, born at Chelsea: 

1. Joseph Tuttle, born 6 Dec., 1825, at Chelsea; married 28 Nov., 

1850, Harriet J. Armor, daughter of John and Abigail 
(Kimball) Armor, born 12 Feb., 1828, at Derry, N. H. 

2. George Stevens Tuttle, born 26 Oct., 1826, at Chelsea; married 

10 Nov., 1849, Abigail Brookine Florence, born 10 Oct., 
1827, at Saugus, daughter of Charles and Sally (Bray) Florence; 
(2) 26 Oct., 1875, Mrs. Susan Bray (Florence) Newhall, 
his sister-in-law. 

3. Abby Maria Tuttle, born 2 Oct., 1829; married 2 Oct., 1851, 

Silas Stillman Trull, born 3 July, 1829, son of John and 
Lucy (Danforth) Trull. 

4. Angelina Amelia Tuttle, born 15 April, 1841, at Saugus; married 

4 Aug., 1861, George Thomas Fletcher, born at Fortau- 
pigne, N. S. They lived in Hudson, Mass. 

5-5 Richard Stevens, born 21 April, 1802; died 4 June, 1871; married 

Lucretia P. Rockwell. 

6 William, born 1804; died Jan., 1830, frozen to death on the Newbury- 

port Turnpike, in what is now the town of Revere. Never married. 

Richard S. Holden was a carpenter. With his father and two 
brothers he worked on the ship Constitution. 1 Prior to settling in 
Charlestown in 1787, he lived at Stoddard, N. H., and in 1796 in 
Boston. He was a member of the First Baptist Church at 
Charlestown, and a Free Mason. The family tradition, that he 
served at Bunker Hill, and entered the army “as a powder monkey 
and came out a corporal” is hardly correct. He claims only his 
Continental service from 16 April, 1777, in his application for pension. 
However, he appears to have had other service, unless tw r o of the 
same name went from Groton, with the service of one complementing 
that of the other. He appears to have enlisted in March, 1776, in 
Captain Thomas Warrin’s company, Colonel Brook’s regiment, 
and w r as at White Plains in October, 1776. He enlisted for three 
years, 15 April, 1777, and served three full years, for the town of 
Groton, given as his residence, in company of Captain S. Smith, 
Colonel Timothy Bigelow’s regiment. He was at Stillwater, summer 
of 1777; at Valley Forge, winter 1777-8; in Rhode Island, summer 
of 1778, and later, and in 1779 was on duty with the Quartermaster 
General, after which he was transferred to the light infantry company. 
He reenlisted July, 1780, for six months, to the credit of Groton, 
and served until 30 Nov., 1780. He was then described as nineteen 
years of age, five feet seven inches in height, of ruddy complexion. 
He also served from the 18 August to 30 Nov., 1781, as sergeant in 
Captain Bov/ker’s company, Colonel Webb’s regiment. This entire 
service W'as performed before he was twenty-one years of age. He also 
served as a marine on the frigate Deane, March 1 to May 31, 1782. 


i The frigate Constitution was repaired at Charlestown. 


292 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


In 1812 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to work at his trade, leaving 
his family in Charlestown, Mass., but kept up a regular correspond¬ 
ence with them. After an absence of eight years he was stricken with 
sickness and died suddenly. He was among strangers, and at that time 
a great distance from home, and his family was not informed of his 
death at the time. All that was ever learned was that, being a mem¬ 
ber of the Masonic Fraternity, he was buried with Masonic honors. 1 

Feb. 14, 1820, Richard S. Holden, fifty-seven years of age, resident 
of Cincinnati, made application for pension; he enlisted for three 
years, 16 April, 1777, in Middlesex, Mass., in the company com¬ 
manded by Captain Silvanus Smith of the regiment commanded 
by Colonel Timothy Bigelow, Massachusetts line, and served until 
1780, when he was discharged from service at Budd’s Highlands, 
New York. He was in battles under Gates, preceding the surrender 
of Burgoyne, at the action of White Marsh, Penn., and at the battle 
of Monmouth, New Jersey. He was a carpenter, had “no wife or 
family that I reside with, my children are all of age and settled in life, 
except Richard S. Holden, aged 17 years, and William Holden, aged 

15 years, who do not reside with me, or by their labor contribute to 
my support. I am ruptured.” He received a pension to date from 1813. 

19273 Nehemiah ( Nehemiah , John , Stephen, Richard ), born 

16 July, 1763, at Shirley, Mass.; died 10 Jan., 1851, at Higginsport, 
Brown County, Ohio; 2 married Lucy A. Closson . 2 

He married, second, 1 May, 1803, 3 at West Fairlee, Vt., Abigail 
Bassett, born 24 Oct., 1772, at Mansfield, Conn., died January, 
1841, aged sixty-five years, 4 at Charlestown, daughter of Elnathan 
and Anna (Southworth) Bassett. 2 
Children : 2 

1-1 Nehemiah, born 1794, at Charlestown; died 1846; married Mary 
Wright. 

2 Lucy, married 26 Nov., 1829, Isaac Bacon of Barnstable. 

By second marriage; 

3- 3 Horace Bassett, born 22 Jan., 1808; died 26 Jan., 1861; married 

Mary Shaffer. 

4- 4 Erastus Sawin, born 5 Jan., 1807; died 1885; married Jane E. Dana; 

(2) Maria Lyons. 

5 Mary (Ann Marion 5 ), born 3 May, 1810, at Brunswick, Maine; 

died 1878, at Troy, Ohio 5 ; unmarried. 

6 Elizabeth, born 17 Feb., 1813, at Bradford, Vt.; died 1901; married 

26 Nov., 1849, at Higginsport, Levi Farwell Dillaway, born 
24 March, 1824, at Granville, N. Y., died 1901, son of Samuel C. 
and Elizabeth H. (Allen) Dillaway. In 1877 they were living at 
Troy, Ohio. 

1 Letter of a great-grandson, Alvah L. Trull, May 17, 1883. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms. * R. W. Holden Ms.; Town records. 

4 Wyman: Charlestown Genealogies. 5 Information of Miss Abbie B. Holden, 1922. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


293 


Children, born at Higginsport: 

1. Mary Abba Dillaway, born 21 Jan., 1851; married 12 April, 

1877, Rev. H. C. Herriott. Of California, 1922. 

2. Harriet Josephine Dillaway, born 8 April, 1853; died 14 May, 

1876. 

3. Annie Maria Dillaway, born 2 Oct., 1855; married 25 March, 

1886, at Troy, Colonel Thomas D. Fitch. Of Troy, 1922. 1 
7-7 Elnathan, born 4 July, 1816 (1817), 1 at Bradford, Vt.; died 4 June 

1910; married Christine T. Vance. 

Nehemiah Holden served in Gerrish’s regiment of guards, Simon 
Hunt’s company, at Winter Hill, 1778. He enlisted from Pepperell, 
July, 1780, for six months, in the Continental service, discharged 
5 June, 1780. He was at Camp Totoway in October. He reenlisted 
for three years 28 March, 1781. The last enlistment he was described 
as eighteen years, five feet five inches, dark complexion, dark hair, 
dark eyes, farmer. At his first enlistment, seventeen years, five feet 
four inches, light complexion. His pension papers give further details, 
where it also appears he enlisted in 1782 on the frigate Deane. In 1901 
Elnathan Holden wrote to Pension Bureau giving facts concerning his 
father and grandfather, both of whom served during the Revolution. 

April 4, 1818, Nehemiah Holden, aged fifty years, of Fairlee, 
Orange County, Vt., made oath that he enlisted in the eighth com¬ 
pany of infantry commanded by Captain Ward of the third Massa¬ 
chusetts regiment commanded by Colonel Mansfield, April, 1781, for 
three years. He was discharged at West Point, New York, 17Dec., 1783. 

The selectmen of Orford, N. H., certified that Nehemiah Holden, 
late of Fairlee, Vt., now living in Orford, is wholly destitute of any 
property which can yield him income. He is very lame both in his 
hip and arm, so that he cannot travel without the assistance of a 
staff or crutch. His health is frequently so poor that he is unable to 
labor. His wife is a very feeble woman. For many years past he 
has been much embarrassed with his debts and has suffered frequently 
for want of the necessaries of life. We believe him to be a prudent 
person and industrious when able to work. 

He made further declaration, July, 1820, giving his age as fifty- 
seven years on the sixteenth day of July instant. He served as a 
private soldier in Captain Wade’s company, Colonel Michael Jackson’s 
regiment, Massachusetts line. His original declaration was made 
5 April, 1818, and he had received a pension certificate. He was 
a painter 2 and depended on work for support, but lameness in his hip 
required use of a staff while at work. “ The wound in my arm, received 
at Newburgh on a wood chop fuel for West Point garrison, 1783, 
is troublesome. I never have received any pension in consequence 


1 Information of Miss Abbie B. Holden, 1922. 

2 In 1804, while of Charlestown, he was described as a glazier. 


294 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


of my neglect to apply until too late. When in most need of it my 
application was unsuccessful until the late act of March 18, 1818. 

My family consists of my wife and four children: Abigail, my wife, 
was forty-seven years old October last, and is in a feeble state; 
Erast us S., my son, was thirteen years old January 5, but of slender 
constitution; Mary Ann, my daughter, was ten years old 3 May last, 
is sickly; Elizabeth, my daughter, was seven years old 17 February 
last; Elnathan, my son, will be four years old 4 July instant.” 

In February, 1826, he was living in Massachusetts, and in 1830 
in Middlesex County. 

19274 Oliver ( Nehemiah , John , Stephen, Richard ), born 18 
Sept., 1765, at Shirley; died 4 Sept., 1844, at Charlestown; married 12 
May, 1791,at Charlestown, Nancy Rand, born 23 Dec., 1765, died 1832, 
daughter of Nathaniel and Hepzibah (Larkin) Rand of Charlestown. 

Children: 1 

1 Nancy, born 27 March, 1792; died 25 Jan., 1836; married 26 July, 

1815, Thomas M. Dickey, who died 24 Jan., 1846, aged 61 years. 2 

Children: 

1. Henry H. Dickey, born 14 May, 1816; lived in Lewiston, Maine. 

2. Elizabeth E. Dickey, born 19 Oct., 1817; died ; 

married 1 Nov., 1842, Samuel McLanahan of Lowell. 

3. Nancy Dickey, born 3 Sept., 1819. 

4. Thomas Dickey, born 22 March, 1821. 

5. Mary Jane Dickey, born 15 Jan., 1823; died 15 March, 1840. 

6. Nathan L. Dickey, born 9 Jan., 1825; died 6 Dec., 1847. 

7. Rebecca G. Dickey, born 31 March, 1827. 

8. Charles Dickey, born 23 Jan., 1829; drowned in California, 

Dec., 1850. 

9. George Dickey, born 25 March, 1832. 

10. Sarah Ellen Dickey, born 25 Oct., 1833; married 21 Dec., 1853, 

Samuel McLanahan of Lowell. 

2 Oliver, born 22 Feb., 1794; died at Charleston, S. C. 

3 Nathaniel Rand, born 20 Dec., 1795; died August, 1827, s.p. A 

druggist in Boston. 

4-4 Thomas Freedom, born 9 Jan., 1798; died 2 Aug., 1879; married 

Fanny Goodridge. 

5 Elizabeth Mary, born 23 March, 1800; married- Keith. 

6 Henry, born 20 Jan., 1803; died in Sierra Leone, Africa, s.p. 

He was one of the incorporators of the Andover Turnpike in 1805, 
and in 1836 was among the first to urge annexation of Charlestown 
to Boston. He was a member of the General Court. His land trans¬ 
actions were extensive, especially in Charlestown, but he traded in 
land elsewhere, and owned land in Hillsboro, N. H. 

i This record is from the F. A Holden Ms The births of children taken from a family Bible in possession 
of the New England Historical Genealogical Society, with hours of birth, are printed by Wyman in Charles¬ 
town Estates. 1 History of Amherst, pp. 562, 563, quoted by F. A. Holden. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


29 5 


When he was seventy years of age, Oliver Holden made declaration 
16 Feb., 1836, in applying for a pension, stating in part: “my reasons 
for so having so long delayed making application for a pension 
under the law of 1832 are as follows, viz.: because I did apply for 
one in the year 1818, when the judge of the district court in Boston, 
who examined my papers, decided that no plea but that of poverty 
would avail. I was not acquainted with the liberal provisions of 
the law of 1832 which recognizes the merits of the soldier irrespective 
of his pecuniary circumstances. Being reminded of this, late as it is, 
I have been induced to present my claims to the department. . . .” 

In the early part of the spring of 1782, he was living with his 
father in Pepperell, and Lieutenant Reed came up there as a recruiting 
officer. He enlisted under him as a marine on board the Dean frigate 
for the term of one year, and received a bounty of ten dollars. He 
joined the frigate in Boston Harbor, under the command of Captain 
Nicholson, who was afterwards tried by court martial, and Captain 
Manley then took command of her, and her name was changed to 
the Hague. She sailed in August on a cruise among the West India 
Islands. They captured four British prizes and made the port of 
St. Pierre, in Martinique. The morning after they sailed from this 
port, after a short conflict, they captured a British letter of Marque, 
called Zac. Bailey , of twenty guns. He, Deponant, was placed on 
board the ship of which Captain Daniels was prize master, and 
Audebot and Dana mates. They returned to Boston where they 
arrived the latter part of the winter of 1783. 1 They remained on 
board some time; the vessel was discharged; and he received his 
discharge from the hands of George Richards, who had returned 
in the frigate. Richards was chaplain and acted as assistant captain’s 
clerk. This was sometime in April, 1783, after he had been in service 
about one year. Palms was captain of his company, and Reed and 
Waterman his lieutenants. His brother, Richard Holden, was 
orderly sergeant. He recollects Cochran was boatswain, and that 
one McKeever was sailing master. 

He was born in Shirley, 1765. Soon after the war he removed to 
Charlestown where he has since and now lives. He went into the 
service on his own motion/’ 

Josiah Barker of Charlestown, gentleman, aged seventy-two years, 
deposed “I served in the Revolutionary War. In the summer of 
1782, my brother-in-law, Tilden Crocker, came down to Pembroke 
where I was then living, as a recruiting officer, and I enlisted under 
him as a sailor on board the Dean frigate for a term of one year. 
When I joined the frigate she was laying in Boston Harbor, and 
I think did not sail before the month of August or October in that 


1 Receipts dated 4 June and 5 Dec., 1783, for wages to 10 May, 1783, signed by Oliver Holden for services 
on the Hague are in Massachusetts Archives. 


296 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


year. Captain Nicholson commanded the frigate, but before we 
sailed he resigned the command and Captain Manley took command 
of her, and her name was altered to the Hague. I think Page and 
Dilloway were lieutenants. We sailed to the West India Islands. 
It was about ten months before I returned home. I w r ell remember 
Oliver Holden, a marine on board the above frigate. Richard Holden, 
brother of Oliver Holden, was Sergeant of Marines.” 

From a letter preserved by F. A. Holden, written by Fannie A. 
Tyler, a granddaughter of Oliver Holden, the following is taken: 

“I cannot recall a time when my parents or grandparents ever 
interested me in any way concerning their ancestors. My father 
alone is left of the large family which lived in the fine old mansion 
house in Charlestown, and I am his only living child. I have the 
picture of my great-grandmother, the mother of Oliver Holden, and 
of her youthful indiscretion I have heard my father’s sisters often 
speak. She was the niece and adopted daughter of a rich Irish earl. 
(Here follows the story of her marriage with the handsome gardener, 
and removal to America.) They had children, one of whom I remem¬ 
ber, as a very old blind man, sitting by my grandfather’s fireside. 
I was but a little child at the time. Mitchell died and his widow 
married Mr. Holden, Oliver, my grandfather, being one of their 
children. During his last illness, one night he was dosing and restless 
by turns, his watchers heard him say, ‘I have some beautiful lines 
in my head, if I only had strength to note them down.' His last 
word was the utterance of his daughter's name, his first born, the 
baby who so filled his heart with thankfulness that out of it came 
the grand old hymn Coronation. ‘Ann' he called, and spoke no 
more. The old English pipe organ upon which he harmonized much 
of his music is in my possession.” 

“Mr. Holden was an eminently good man, deeply spiritual, with 
a joyous cast of piety, and in an hour of special inspiration he com¬ 
posed the words of the hymn called Coronation. I have heard 
him speak of the rapidity with which he composed it. The first 
draft was subjected to very little alteration. It went forth and 
immediately and generally became a favorite. Oliver Holden was 
a Baptist with some peculiar views upon church polity, but sound 
in Gospel doctrine, and eminently pure in Christian morals. His 
death was calmly, sweetly triumphant .” 1 

The organ mentioned above is now in possession of the Bostonian 
Society, Old State House. Oliver Holden is described by his great- 
grandson, Oliver Holden of Hollister, Cal., “as a tall, slender man 
with long silver-grey hair combed back.” 

Mr. Holden was the chief supporter of a small chapel which stood 


UJaron Stow in Boston Transcript. Abram English Brown printed in the New England Magazine a 
biographical sketch of Oliver Holden. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


297 


near the head of Wood Street. In Benedict s “History of the Bap¬ 
tists ’' 1 appears the following entry: 

Charlestown, Mass. There are two other Baptist Societies which 
worship in private buildings. They consider clerical titles and dress 
improper, deny the necessity of ordination in the usual way, admin¬ 
ister the communion every Sabbath, and receive no contribution 
but from church members. The teachers are Mr. W 7 alter Balfour 
and Oliver Holden, Esq.” 

Oliver Holden was a justice of the peace. 

W hen the people of Boston honored President George Washington 
on the occasion of his visit in 1789, a procession escorted him from 
Roxbury to Boston, that part of the road in Roxbury followed 
having ever since borne his name, and which later, in 1824, was given 
to the street in Boston. At the Old State House a triumphal arch was 
erected across the street and over this arch was a choir of forty 
voices, drilled and led by Oliver Holden. As Washington approached, 
the choir broke into a hymn of welcome. Washington was much 
affected. He dismounted and ascended a balcony near the choir, 
thanking it and the assembly for the honor shown him. 

The following extracts are from an obituary notice which appeared 
in a Charlestown paper, October, 1844: 

“Our honored friend and worthy fellow citizen, Oliver Holden, 
Esq., at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, departed this life 
on the 4 ult. He was a gentleman of extensive research and uncom¬ 
mon abilities, industrious habits and kindly disposition, and through¬ 
out a protracted, active, and useful life, sustained a high moral and 
exemplary character. 

At the close of the Revolutionary War, he resumed his former 
employment as a mechanic, and fixed his residence in this town. 
He continued his business as a joiner and architect for several years 
with success. He then exchanged the active labors of a mechanic 
for extensive mercantile pursuits. His superior talent and taste for 
music soon began to excite attention both as a gifted and accom¬ 
plished singer and composer. Some of his original pieces attracted 
the notice of the Rev. Dr. Morse, then minister of Charlestown, a 
singer of much celebrity, at whose urgent solicitations, Mr. Holden 
consented to publish his first attempt at composition, in 1792, in a 
small pamphlet entitled the ‘American Harmony.’ He was also 
the editor of the ‘Union Harmony’ through several successive 
editions; and in 1795, in connection with Hans Green and Samuel 
Holyoke, he published a work of some considerable merit, entitled 
the ‘Massachusetts Compiler of Theoretical and Practical Elements 
of Sacred Music.’ In 1800 he wrote and published a collection of 
‘Sacred Dirges, Hymns, and Anthems, commemorative of General 


1 See Massachusetts Historical Collections, series 2, vol. 2, p. 179. 


298 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


George Washington,’ over the signature of ‘A Citizen of Massachu¬ 
setts.’ His style of music seemed peculiarly adapted to the age. 
Mr. Holden enjoyed his relish for music to the last and began his 
‘Finale’ a few weeks before his decease: 

God of my life, nigh draws the day, 

When Thou wilt summon me away, 

To dwell with those who live on high. 

To sin no more, no more to die. 

My youthful days and riper years, 

My joyful hours, my hour of tears, 

Passing away like fleeting wind, 

Leave but a remnant yet behind. 

He did not live to finish the music to the above. 

Mr. Holden filled many important offices in this town, the duties 
of which he discharged with ability and faithfulness. As a member 
of the Masonic family he was uniform and consistent and was Master 
of the Lodge in this town for several years.” 

Concerning the well-known hymn “Coronation,” an article 
appeared in the Buffalo Courier of 19 Oct., 1S78, from which the 
following extract is taken: 

“In regard to the origin of the hymn and tune familiarly known 
as ‘Coronation,’ and commencing ‘All hail the power of Jesus' name, 
Let Angels prostrate fall,' there are any number of authors to whom 
both words and music have been ascribed. There are historical 
letters and facts that establish this account of the origin of the 
words and tune. Two prominent hymn-books, ‘The Plymouth 
Collection’ and the ‘Sabbath Hymn Book,’ ascribe the words of the 
hymn in question to Duncan. This name is not attached to the 
earliest versions; he is not the author of ‘Coronation.’ Rev: Edward 
Perronet, son of Vincent Perronet, vicar of Shoreham, England, 
was undoubtedly the true author. The hymn was first published, Mr. 
Nason says, in the Gospel Magazine , London, 1780, under Perronet’s 
own name, in his ‘Occasional Verses,’ in 1785. Rev. William 
Shrubsole wrote the first tune to which it was sung, and called it 
‘Miles Lane.' ‘Miles Lane’ is known very generally in England, 
and is more frequently sung than our more fitting ‘Coronation.’ 

The Rev. Edward Perronet died at Canterbury in January, 1792, 
bequeathing to his friend, Shrubsole, organist at Spa-Field’s chapel, 
his large fortune. His last words were, 

‘Glory to God in the height of his divinity! 

Glory to God in the depth of his humanity! 

Glory to God in his all-sufficiency. Into his hands 
I commit my spirit.’ 




Composer of “ Coronation 





FIFTH GENERATION 


299 


Of the tune Coronation,’ we know' that it was composed in America 
by Oliver Holden of Charlestown, Mass., in the year 1793. It was 
accepted at once as better adapted to the words than the English 
‘Miles Lane.’ Since the original version it has changed very little 
and is sung at the present time as it w 7 as a century ago. From boy¬ 
hood Holden was a lover of music, especially sacred music, and he 
commenced the study of musical composition on his arrival in 
Charlestown. He organized a chorus choir in one of the churches 
and became quite prominent as a singing-school teacher. In 1792 
he published a work entitled ‘American Harmony,’ and in the year 
following ‘Union Harmony,’ in tw'o volumes, the first containing 
the famous ‘Coronation.’ He subsequently edited and published 
other musical works, and after the death of William Billings, in 
1800, he became the most popular composer of ‘psalm-tunes ’ in 
the country. Mr. Nason, in closing his sketch of Oliver Holden, pays 
the following tribute to his character, which is undoubtedly both 
correct and just: ‘His spirit was truly devotional and he wrote and 
sung in the honor of his Beloved Master. Millions have been, and 
are still, warmed in their devotion by the hymn and tune of “Coro¬ 
nation” and let us hold in grateful remembrance the names of Edw r ard 
Perronet, and Oliver Holden.’ 

Some of his compositions are given in the Antiquarian Collection 
of Music under the following titles: ‘Myrtle,’ ‘Cross,’ ‘Lodi,’ 
‘Lynnfield,’ ‘Paradise,’ ‘Confidence,’ ‘Cowper,’ ‘Deliverance,’ ‘Alpha’ 
‘Sweet Surprise,’ ‘Funeral Hymn,' ‘Coronation,’ ‘Smyrna,’ ‘Addison,’ 

‘Antipatris,’ ‘Omega,’ ‘Reviving Hope,’ ‘Lord’s Day,’ ‘Concord,’ 
‘Golden Lyre,’ ‘Salvador,’ ‘See, He Rises,’ ‘Beneficence,’ ‘How 
Sweetly,’ ‘Auspicious Morn,’ ‘Oh! Sweet is the Morn’s First Breeze,’ 
‘Hollis.’ 

He published the ‘ Billings and Holden Collection.’ 

“Oliver Holden sang the air and his brother Nehemiah Holden 
the base, and in that w T ay they got the idea of the harmony. Uncle 
Oliver had the small-pox, and W'hile sick, amused himself composing 
music, for which he realized six hundred dollars. There was once a 
Holden Musical Society in Boston .” 1 

“At the head of Salem Street stands the wooden mansion (42 by 40 
feet), two stories high, that was the residence of O. Holden, an active 
and prominent man between 1790 and 1840, preacher, composer of 
music, and extensive operator in real estate; indeed one of the most 
prominent men of the town immediately after the rebuilding. After¬ 
wards the Huntingtons and Twomblys lived here. Originally the 
grounds connected with the house reached from close upon High 
Street to Bunker Hill Street. The house, how r ever, for some years 
occupied by Thomas Doane, remains in as good order as ever. There 

1 Letter of Elnathan Holden, a nephew, of Alleghany City, Pennsylvania, 25 Aug., 1877. 


300 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


was a wide view from it when few buildings stood in the neighbor¬ 
hood, as is showm by a print sheet made as late as 1827.’ n 

The old mansion, built about 1800, is now 7 used by the City of Boston 
as a kindergarten and bears the name “The Oliver Holden School.” 

In 1800 the First Baptist Church w r as organized, and 12 May, 
1821, its meeting-house was opened. Dr. Morse made an address 
and Oliver Holden wrote the music for an anthem. 


19276 Major Daniel ( Nehemiah , John , Stephen, Richard). 
born 28 Oct., 1771, at Shirley; died 1854, at Iligginsport, Ohio; 
married 10 March, 1796, at Charlestown, Hannah Green of Pepper- 
ell, died 1806, daughter of William 2 and Rebecca (Tucker) Green. 

He married, second, 28 Jan., 1804, at Topsham, Maine, Abigail 
Foster, born 30 Jan., 1777, at Bath, Maine, died 16 Feb., 1856, at 
Higginsport, Ohio, daughter of Steel and Martha (Porter) Foster, 
and granddaughter of Joseph and Abigail (Steel) Foster. 

Children: 

1 Daniel, born 1 Sept., 1796 3 at Topsham; died 1853. 

2 Hannah, horn 30 July, 1797; married- Livingstone . 3 

3-3 William Greene, born 29 March, 1800, at Topsham; died 20 June, 

1882; married Melinda (Matilda 3 ) Shinkle. 

By second marriage: 

4 Abigail, horn 22 Dec., 1804; died 10 Oct., 1825, at Higginsport. 

5-5 Benjamin Franklin, born 5 Feb., 1807; died 8 Dec., 1878; married 
Abby V. King; (2) Fannie Nelson. 

6 Erastus, born 31 July, 1808; died 24 Nov., 1809. 

7 Martha, born 11 April, 1811; married 3 William Beaumont Town¬ 

send, born 21 Oct., 1803, at Wilton, England, died 27 Nov., 1847, 
son of Joseph and Sarah (Palmer) Townsend. Charles Hodgkins 
of Appleton City, Mo., is a grandson. 

8 Elizabeth, born 6 April, 1813; died 14 June, 1880, at Higginsport; 3 

married there 7 Nov., 1839, Henry Davidson, born at Higginsport, 
died there 5 June, 1892, son of William Davidson. He was a miller, 
and prominent in public affairs; county treasurer, member town 
council, president of school board. Children: 3 

1. Martha Davidson, born 1 Aug., 1840; died 31 May, 1862, 

unmariied. 

2. Emily Davidson, born 24 April, 1842; died 30 Dec., 1844. 

3. Mary Davidson, born 9 Oct., 1844; died 13 Jan., 1917, unmarried. 

4. Emma Davidson, born 20 May, 1850; died 8 Aug., 1850. 

5. Ella Davidson, twin with Emma. 

6. Julia Davidson, born 30 June, 1854; married 7 Nov., 1877, 

Franklin Pierce Hitt, born 7 Aug., 1852. Their daughter, 

1 Hunnewell: Century of Town Life, 1775-1887, p. 97. 

1 William Green during the American Revolution manufactured powder for the army. 

3 Information of Mrs. Q. C. Ellis, who is authority also for dates of birth of children, and who also states 
that Major Daniel Holden died in 1853,' and that Martha married Mr. Bryant. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


301 


Mrs. Mayme Ellis, wife of 0. C. Ellis of Ripley, Ohio, has 
portraits of her grandparents and great grandparents. 

7. Frances Davidson, horn 20 Jan., 1855; married John W. 
Brookbank. 

9 Margaret Jane, born 9 Aug., 1815; never married. 

J—10 Oliver Cromwell, born 5 Jan., 1818; married Sallie E. Drennen; 

(2) Maria Thomas. 

11 Thomas W., a twin with Oliver C.; died 1848, unmarried. 

12 Nancy Ann, born 18 Sept., 1820; died 30 May, 1860; married Frank¬ 

lin King. 

Daniel Holden settled in Topsham, Maine, where he engaged in a 
mercantile and lumber business. He was chosen surveyor of lumber 
for Topsham and Brunswick, Maine. He was elected major of the 
artillery for Cumberland County and Lincoln County. In 1812 he 
was in command of the troops at Bath, Maine, and the same year 
participated in a battle in the woods near Montreal, Canada, under 
General Wade Hampton. He probably held a commission in 45th 
U. S. Inf., as captain. 

He removed to Brown County, Ohio, near the present Higginsport . 1 
He is buried beside his brother Nehemiah at Higginsport. Mrs. 
Marjorie Nile Ellis of Ripley, Ohio, wife of O. C. Ellis, daughter of 
Julia (Davison) Hite, has a portrait of Major Daniel Holden and of 
his wife Abigail. 


192J4 David W. ( David , John , Stephen , Richard ), born 31 July, 
1769 2 (1768 3 ), at Townsend, 2 Mass. (Hollis, 3 N. H.); died 13 Oct., 
1823, at Groton, N. H.; married 1 Jan., 1789, at Hollis, N. H., 
Bridget Atwell of Groton, born 23 (24 4 ) May, 1770, died 30 Dec., 
1839, 3 daughter of John and Bridget (Cummings) Atwell. 2 

In 1791, in company with John Atwell, a brother of Bridget, they 
removed to the new settlement of Groton, N. H. Mrs. Holden 
removed to Boston in 1824. 2 

Children, three eldest born at Hollis, remainder at Groton, where 
all are recorded: 

1 David, born 31 July, 1789; died 12 Dec., 1799, 5 at Groton. 

2-2 William Cummings (Wilson on Groton record), born 16 Aug., 1790; 
died Aug., 1859 2 (1862 3 ); married Sarah Brainard. 

3 John Hemenway, born 6 May, 1792; died unmarried. 

4-4 Phineas Hemenway, born 6 May, 1792; died 23 Feb., 1872; married 
Betsey Parker. 

5 Bridget, born 19 Jan., 1795 s ; died 9 Aug., 1796, at Groton. 


1 F. A. Holden Ms. . 

* Information of Sarah L. Cummings (R. W. Holden Ms.). 

* F. A. Holden Ms., letter of Josiah R. Holden, 1876. x 

«The dates of birth, marriage and death as given by various correspondents are frequently in variance 
a dav or a year. As it was impracticable to check the entries, both dates are given, one in parentheses. 
R W Holden obtained information from Miss Sarah L. Cummings, Miss Sarah F. Norris, Morrison s 
Norris Family, Stearns’ History of Plymouth, published vital records, etc. 5 I own records. 


302 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


6-6 Josiah Rhodes, born 22 Feb., 1797; died 18 March, 1887; married 
Joanna R. Danforth. 

7 Bridget, born 10 Dec., 1798; died 12 Sept., 1800. 

8 Mira Ann, born 28 Nov., 1800; died 23 (28 1 ) April, 1867 (1868), in 

Boston; married 27 Sept., 1821, John Norris, born 23 (24) Sept., 
1794, at Chelsea (Corinth), Vt., died 17 Nov., 1870, at Rumney, 
N. H., son of John and Hannah (Kelley) Norris. They removed 
from Boston to Plymouth, N. H., about 1830, and thence to 
Groton, N. H. 

Children, all recorded at Groton, where the six youngest were born: 

1. Charles Holden Norris, born 14 Aug., 1822 (1823) in Boston; 

died 22 Nov., 1855 (1854), at Watertown; married 5 March, 
1848, Fanny Brown Stetson, born 28 Sept., 1827, died 
1900, daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Brown) Stetson. 

2. David Holden Norris, born 29 March, 1824; died 1 April, 1905, 

at Roxbury; married 8 Feb., 1848, at Chelsea, Vt., Ruth 
Blake Norris, born 18 Nov., 1829, at Chelsea, died there 

5 July, 1875; (2) 25 Nov., 1875, at Braintree, Mass., Mary A. 
Warren, who died 20 Oct., 1879. 

3. Mira Ann Cornelia Norris, born 8 March, 1826, in Boston; died 

in San Francisco, a widow; married 23 March, 1847, Edwin 
Stearns Perkins, born 4 April, 1822, at Princeton, died 

6 March, 1900, in San Francisco. 

4. John Milton Norris, born 21 Sept., 1828, at Cambridge; died 

29 April, 1832, at Plymouth. 

5. George Washington Norris, born 18 Sept., 1830, at Plymouth; 

died 18 Aug., 1887, at Brookline, Mass.; married 10 Dec., 
1852, Caroline Train Norris. 

6. Ann Maria Norris, born 8 Feb., 1832; died 18 Aug., 1898, s.p., 

at Haverhill, Mass.; married 29 April, 1870, at Rumney, 
N. H., Edgar Nathaniel Tufts, who died at Stockton, Cal. 

7. Sarah Frances Norris, born 8 Dec., 1833; she served in India 

as a medical missionary until 1881; of Hyde Park, Mass., in 
1917. 

8. Henrietta Priscilla Norris, born 16 June, 1836; died April, 1870, 

at Rumney, N. H., unmarried. 

9. William Henry Norris, born 24 Sept., 1838; died 22 (8) Sept., 

1908 (1909), at Hyde Park, a veteran of the Civil War, 
married 4 Nov., 1861, at Rumney, Calista M. Jeffers, 
who died 13 (14) June, 1901; (2) 25 June, 1902, at Hyde Park, 
Mrs. Mary E. (Norris) Sherburne, widow of George C. 
Sherburne. 

10. Marietta Louisa Norris, born 28 (20) Feb., 1841; married 30 

Oct., 1861, Edgar Alonzo Adams, born 27 April, 1839, died 
8 Nov., 1885, at Plymouth. 

11. Harriet Jane Norris, born 3 Sept., 1843; married 19 Oct., 1863, 

* The dates of birth, marriage and death as given by various correspondents are frequently in variance 
w ° r a ^ ear \ 4 s was impracticable to check the entries, both dates are given, one in parentheses. 
"• W. Holden obtained information from Miss Sarah L. Cummings, Miss Sarah F. Norris, Morrison’s 
Norris Family, Stearns’ History of Plymouth, published vital records, etc. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


303 


Pulaski W. Tennant of Rumney, N. H. They lived in 
Haverhill, Mass. 

12. John Adams Norris, born 20 Aug., 1846; died 4 Feb., 1911, in 

Chicago; married 13 March, 1871, Hattie Milliken, of 
Scarboro, Maine, who died 1875; (2) 11 July, 1877, Eliza 
Kelley Brown, of Haverhill. He served in the 32d Massa¬ 
chusetts Volunteer Infantry. 

13. Caroline Almena, born 22 Aug., 1849; died 1875, at Hyde Park, 

unmarried. 

^ ~ 9 David, born 27 Dec., 1802; died 11 Dec., 1833; married Elizabeth L. 
Bradford. 

J—10 Milton, born 11 July, 1804; died 17 Aug., 1888; married Jane 
Fairbanks. 

K-ll Adams Montgomery, born 18 May, 1806; died 5 Oct., 1863; married 
Eliza A. Spear. 

12 Sarah, born 10 March, 1808; died 11 Oct., 1897; married 22 Oct., 

1827, George Washington Cram, born 11 April, 1805, died 
17 March, 1893, son of Jonathan and Polly (Dockum) Cram. 
They lived at Cambridgeport. 

Children: 1 

1. George H. Cram, born 27 Sept., 1828; died 30 Nov., 1850, of 

cholera, in Mexico, returning from California, whither he 
had gone in 1849. 

2. Francis W. Cram, born 18 July, 1830; died 11 Feb., 1833, in 

Boston. 

3. Alfred Cram, born 28 May, 1832; died 8 Dec., 1832, in Boston. 

4. Albert Holden Cram, born 28 May, 1832; died 22 April, 1906, 

at Newton; married 2 April, 1863, Sally Taylor Bartlett. 
Their son, George W. Cram, Harvard 1888, has been recorder 
of the University since 1893. 

5. Frank W. Cram, born 5 July, 1837; died 26 June, 1880, at 

Denver, Colo.; married 4 Oct., 1858, Hannah B. Saxton. 

6. Charles E. Cram, born 27 June, 1839; died 6 July, 1902, in 

Boston; married 15 June, 1876, Mary I. Wells. 

7. Adeline L. Cram, born 19 Sept., 1844; died 31 March, 1870, in 

Cambridge. 

8. Henry Brooks Cram, born 15 July, 1849; died 18 March, 1920, 

at Brookline; married 21 Nov., 1889, Julia Emma Nickerson. 

13 Lucetta, born 4 March, 1810; died 31 May, 1894, at Cambridgeport; 

married 23 Jan., 1840, Uriah Billings, born 10 March, 1813, died 
13 May, 1882, son of Isaac and Polly (Leonard) Billings. 

Children : 

1. Lyman Kinsley Billings, born 6 Jan., 1841, at Canton. 

2. Adriana Billings, born 31 March, 1843. 

3. Massena Holden Billings, born 1845; died 1846. 

4. Sarah Ann Billings, born 1847; died 

5. Clarence Hemenway Billings, born 1850; living 1917. 


information of Frank W. Cram, 1922. 


304 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


14 Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, born 10 Jan., 1812; died 7 March, 

1815. 

15 Mary Ann, born 17 Sept., 1814; died 14 July, 1841, at Salem; married 

29 Sept., 1836, Jaiues Washington Arrington, born 28 Jan., 

1813, at Salem, died there 5 May, 1850, son of Joseph and Catherine 

(Richards) Arrington, a carpenter and builder at Salem. 

Children, born at Salem: 1 

1. Mary Ann Arrington, born 1 Sept., 1837; married 21 Sept., 

I860, at Rumney, N. H., Charles Wayland Herbert, born 
July, 1837, at Rumney, son of Samuel and Lydia Maria 
(Darling) Herbert. He is a farmer at Rumney. 

2. Son, died aged one day. 

3. Sarah Lucy Arrington, born 3 July, 1841; married 26 Oct., 1861, 

at Plymouth, N. H., William Harrison Cummings, born 
9 Feb., 1841, at West Plymouth, N. H., died there 16 Oct., 
1909. Enlisted Oct., 1861, in 6th New Hampshire Volunteers, 
discharged for disability 3 March, 1862. They lived several 
years in Pennsvlvania, at Natick, Mass., and Plymouth, 
N. H. 1 

192J5 Phineas Hemenway {David, John , Stephen , Richard ), 
born 8 May, 1772, at Townsend, Mass.; died 29 Jan., 1856, at Hollis, 
N. H.; married 31 Jan., 1799, at Hollis, 2 Elizabeth Jewett, born 
15 Oct., 1775, at Hollis, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Cummings) 
Jewett. 3 

He was of Littleton, Mass., at the time of his marriage. In 1799 he 
purchased land in Brookline, N. H. 4 He probably settled in Hollis 
about 1812, having previously lived in Charlestown, Mass., where 
in 1807 he was a “trader. ” 

Children: 5 

1 Eliza, born 5 Dec., 1799, at Littleton; died 27 Feb., 1873, at Hollis 2 

unmarried. 

2 Sarah Jewett, born 19 July, 1801, at Littleton; died 8 Jan., 1874; 

married John Newton Worcester, born 7 Feb., 1801, died 5 

March, 1884. 6 

Children: 3 

1. Sarah Caroline Worcester, born 10 Oct., 1827; died 2 Aug., 1833; 

married 13 Sept., 1855, Jabez A. Sawyer. 

2. Frances Ellen Worcester, born 4 July, 1830; died 28 May, 1868; 

married 18 Aug., 1855, Charles L. Farrar. 

3. Martha Worcester, born 12 May, 1833; died 13 June, 1882; 

married 6 Dec., 1868, Dr. L. W. Fletcher. 

1 Sarah Lucy Arrington was adopted by her uncle Adams M. Holden, and her name changed by Act of 
Legislature to Holden. She supplied information concerning this family to R. W. Holden. Her children 
were Winfred Harrison Cummings, a veteran of the Spanish War, wlio married Iva Maud Pierce; and 
Charles Henry Cummings who married Zena Belle Avery. Mrs. Cummings made no mention of the fact 
noted by F. A. Holden, that Mary Ann Holden (192J4N) was a deaf mute, caused by an attack of measles 
when eighteen months old. She was educated at Hartford, as was her husband, also a deaf mute. 

2 N. H. Vital Statistics. 3 Jewett Genealogy, quoted bv R. W. Holden. 

4 Hillsboro Deeds, 57:557, 558. 

J F. A. Holden Ms. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


305 


4. Abby Elizabeth Worcester, born 1 April, 1835; died 2 Jan., 1880. 

5. Charles Henry Worcester, born 18 Jan., 1837; married 27 Oct., 

1887, Sarah E. Hayes. 

6. John Howard Worcester, born 18 Jan., 1839; died 26 July, 1863, 

a lieutenant in the Union Army. 

7. Samuel Augustus Worcester, born 29 Jan., 1840; married 

Elizabeth B. Day. 

8. Frederick Worcester, born 2 Aug., 1842; married Dec., 1885, 

Mary H. Gage, who died 1890; (2) 30 June, 1897, Sarah A. 
Lothrope. 

9. Franklin Worcester, born 27 Oct., 1845. 

3 Phineas, born 1803; died 5 Sept., 1804, at Charlestown, aged 11 

months ( g . s . ). 

4 Mary R., born 1805; died 2 Sept., 1807, aged 2 years, 11 days, ( g . s .) 

at Charlestown. 

5 Ann, born 24 Oct., 1809, at Charlestown, Mass.; died 11 May, 1876; 

married 24 Nov., 1835, Colonel Stillman Spalding, born 
18 Jan., 1809, died 16 April, 1894, son of Silas Spalding. 

Children i 1 

1. Frances Ann Spalding, born 18 Dec., 1836; died 8 June, 1873, 

s . p .; married 28 June, 1855, Samuel K. Rich; (2) 11 Feb., 

1867, PIon. Henry H. Huse. 

2. Henry Stillman Spalding, born 5 March, 1841; died 28 Sept., 

1876; married 8 Dec., 1870, Eva J. Wheeler. 

3. Winslow Jewett Spalding, born 19 March, 1843; died 27 April, 

1905, at Roslindale, Mass.; married 27 May, 1869, Elizabeth 
M. Pool. He served in the Union Army. 

4. Elizabeth Jewett Spalding, born 11 Sept., 1845; married 25 Nov., 

1868, Henry G. Hildreth. 

5. John Newton Worcester, born 11 July, 1848; died 8 Jan., 1891; 

married 8 Dec., 1876, Hattie M. Wheeler. 

6. Clara Alice Worcester, born 8 Dec., 1853; married 11 March 

1875, Theodore Brown, who died 11 June, 1898, at Los 
Angeles, Calif; (2) 20 Nov., 1900, Edward S. Ellis. 

6 Catherine (perhaps the Catherine who died 10 April, 1883, at Hollis, 

unmarried 2 ). 

7-7 Ralph Winslow (R. Jewett), born 20 May, 1814, at Hollis; died 
10 Jan., 1894; married Eliza A. Hardy; (2) Lucinda Colburn. 

8 Caroline, married 24 Nov., 1835, James Burgess of Dunstable, 

N. H.; (2)- Pearson of Concord, N. H. 

9 Elisha Wheeler, born 30 Sept., 1816; died April, 1869, unmarried. 
10 Mary, married 3 Nov., 1848, Dexter Greenwood of Hollis. 

Child: 

1. Ellen Greenwood. 

192J7 Artemas (David, John, Stephen, Richard), born 13 Sept., 
1776, at Townsend, Mass.; died 8 August, 1863, at Lowell, Mass.; 
married 11 April, 1809, Jerusha Brown, born 7 Oct., 1782, at Con- 

iJtwett Genealogy, quoted by R. W. Holden. 2 N. H. Vital Statistics 



306 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


cord, Mass., died 8 March, 1821, daughter of Captain Abishai and 
Jerusha Brown of Concord. 1 

He married, second, 26 Oct., 1823, Anne Bowers, born 24 Oct., 
1795, daughter of Luke and Anne (Pratt) Bowers of Chelmsford, 
Mass. 1 In 1876 Mrs. Holden was living with her daughter, Mrs. 
Shattuck. 

Artemas Holden was a cooper. He owned a small farm in that part 
of Chelmsford now included in Lowell. It is said he was of the Puritan 
type, and much respected. 

Children: 1 

1 Mary Ann, born 16 Sept., 1810; living in Lowell in 1876, unmarried. 
2-2 Frederic Artemas, born 14 Aug., 1812, at Lowell, Mass.; married 
Hannah Page. 

3 Benjamin Franklin, born 16 June, 1817; died 8 July, 1855, at Lowell; 

married 31 Dec., 1846, Almeda Emerson, born 5 Feb., 1823, at 
Stoddard, N. H., daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Reed) Emerson. 
She married (2) 25 Dec., 1860, James U. Gage. Mr. Holden w r as a 
grocer in Lowell. 

By second marriage: 

4 Sarah Jane, born 18 Dec., 1824; married 1 July, 1846, George 

Waldo Shattuck, born 20 May, 1822, at New Ipswich, N. H., son 
of Abel and Mary (Bedlow) Shattuck. He was for many years a 
teacher in the Lowell schools, afterward entry clerk in Boston 
Custom House, and later cashier for J. C. Ayer & Co. He lived on 
the remnant of the Holden farm. Mrs. Shattuck supplied F. A. 
Holden with information regarding this branch of the family. 
Children: 

1. Emma Harriette Shattuck, born 30 March, 1847; married 16 

Oct., 1869, William Elliott Barrows, son of Rev. Elisha P. 
and Maria Lee Barrows. Mr. Barrows served in the Civil 
War, rising from private to major on General Mead’s staff. 
After the war he learned the trade of machinist and draughts¬ 
man and later became assistant treasurer of the Willimantic 
Linen Co., at Hartford, Conn. 

2. Jennie Holden Shattuck, born 16 May, 1851; married 29 Oct., 

1873, Reginald Canning, son of Joseph and Cornelia 
(Whitney) Canning. Lived at Waverly, N. Y., and Wilming¬ 
ton, Del. Mr. Canning was superintendent of the Cayuga Car 
Wheel and Foundry Co. 

3. Mary Annie Shattuck, born 4 Sept., 1854. 

4. Helen Maria Shattuck, horn 2 Aug., 1859. 

5-5 George Henry, born 19 Nov., 1827; married Esther L. N. Coburn. 

192J9 Joshua (David, John , Stephen , Richard ), born 3 April, 
1781, at Townsend; died 17 Dec., 1852, at Westminster, Vt.; married 

1 F. A. Holden Ms., where it is stated that Captain Abishai Brown died 13 April, 1799, aged 53 years, 
a survivor of the “Concord fight,” 19 April, 1775, and that Luke Barrows served in the army seven 
years in the American Revolution. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


307 


27 April, 1802, at Charlestown, Mass., Mary Armstrong Mitchell, 
born 5 Dec., 1782, at Dunbarton, N. H„ died 7 Dec., 1863, at South 
Gardner, Mass., daughter of Francis and Margaret (Wall) Mitchell. 
Francis Mitchell was a half brother of Nehemiah Holden, cousin of 
Joshua Holden. 1 It is said that Joshua was married at the residence 
of Nehemiah Holden, grandfather by marriage of the bride. 1 

Joshua Holden was baptized 20 Sept., 1812, at the Hollis Street 
Church, Boston, and some of his children were baptized there. 
Children, born in Boston, except the two eldest: 1 

1 ~ 1 Joshua Hemenway, born 30 Oct., 1803, at Charlestown; died 14 Jan. 
1868; married Roxana Pierce; (2) Lydia B. Stockwell. 

2 Mary Ann, born 23 Nov., 1805, at Charlestown; married 24 June, 

1849, at Cumberland, R. I., 2 Philip T. Miller. 

3 Edward Preble, born 10 Nov., 1807. 

4 Francis Mitchell, born 17 April, 1810. 

5 Horatio Nelson, born 26 Aug., 1812. 

6 Horace Holley, born 7 Dec., 1816. 

7 Julia Ann Cornelia, born 29 Jan., 1824. 

19312 Francis ( Stephen , Stephen , Stephen , Richard ), born 
6 May, 1743, at Groton, Mass.; died in spring of 1823, at Westminster; 
married about 1774, Patty (Abigail) Closson, who survived him. 

Children, born at Westminster, Vt. ; 3 the four eldest are not named 
in their father’s will: 

1-1 Josiah, born 11 Aug., 1776; living 1860; married Mary. 

2 Elnathan, born 21 Oct., 1777; 4 died 12 June, 1855. In 1850 he was 

living in the family of Timothy Wellman at Westminster, whose 
wife Jane was aged 28, and whose children were Hannah, oet. 14, 
Horace, oet. 12 and Caroline, oet. 10. 

3 Eunice, born 11 Sept., 1779; living 1790. 

4-4 Timothy, born 30 March, 1781; died 4 March, 1853; married Sarah 
Wellman; (2) Melinda Blandin. 

5 Lydia, born 15 Jan., 1783; married 13 Sept., 1807, at Westminster, 

Daniel Clark born 2 Sept., 1773, died 11 Dec., 1828, at Westminster. 6 

6 Sabary (Sabra), born 28 March, 1786; living 1823; married- 

CoNANT. 

7 Francis, born 13 Sept., 1787; died 7 Nov., 1807 ( g . s . at Westminster 

West). 

8 Stephen, born 23 April, 1789; not named in father’s will. 

9 Abigail, born 16 Jan., 1791; living 1823; married 20 Dec., 1808, at 

Westminster, Marcus Crawford of Westminster. 

10 John, born 3 July, 1792; living 1823. Administration on the estate 
of John Holden of Westminster was granted to Alvan Boyden and 
Hannah Holden, 26 Dec., 1827. Timothy Holden was surety. 5 

1 F. A. Holden Ms., additions by L. B. Lawrence, Foxboro, 1912. 2 Cumberland records. 

3 Town records. 

♦Elnathan in 1810 was head of a family in Westminster, consisting of self, aged between twenty-six 
and forty-five, two males under ten, one female between twenty-six and forty-five, one between ten and 
sixteen, and two under ten years. 5 Windham Probate. 6 Clark Genealogy (1884). 



308 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


11 Asaph, born 23 Sept., 1794; not named in father s will. 

12 Caleb, born 4 Feb., 1798; probably the Caleb who died at 'West¬ 

minster May, 1845; married 29 Feb., 1824, at Putney, Rebecca 
Wilder of Putney. 1 

13 Laura, born 19 Sept., 1799; living 1823; married - Williams. 

Francis Holden, then of Shirley, enlisted 24 March, and served 
until 28 Nov., 1762, in the company commanded by Captain James 
Reed. 1 It is said that on his return from Crown Point he intended to 
travel the military road which led through Charlestown, then Number 
Four, but found himself too far to the east and in the vicinity of his 
later home at Westminster, Vt., which then attracted his favorable 
attention. He removed to Dummerston, Vt., but failing to make a 
success of farming where he located, he removed a second time, to 
the hillside in Westminster. His first home there was a leanto against 
a huge rock, which served also as back to his fireplace. He soon 
erected a more substantial shelter. He ground his own meal, using a 
hollow log over which hung, by a spring pole, a huge block of wood. 
Later a grist mill was built at Chesterfield, twelve miles distant, to 
which he carried his corn and brought back his meal, on his back. 
The only trail was marked by blazed trees. Soon a road was built, 
passing the southern boundary of his land, then as now known as the 
Windmill Road, which became a much traveled thoroughfare. 
Having made a home he returned to Shirley and married about 
1773, taking his bride to Westminster not long before the outbreak 
of the Revolution. 

Tradition asserts he was wounded at the battle of Bennington, and 
was in the service in 1780, but the record of his service has not come 
down to posterity. It is known he was a member of the company 
commanded by Captain Azariah Wright, which was organized in 
Westminster prior to 1770, and which was called into the service 
during the Revolution. 2 It is said that after his own term of service 
had expired he remained in the service as a substitute for a 
neighbor who had become sick, and to whom he gave the pay 
received for that additional service. The old homestead was 
destroyed by fire about 1883, but the ownership of the farm 
remains in the family. 3 

The census of 1790 enumerated Francis Holden at Westminster, 
head of a family consisting of himself, another male over sixteen, 
five males under sixteen, and four females. Charles Holden was also 
enumerated at Westminster. The census of 1810 found the family 
to consist of Francis Holden, three other males between sixteen and 
twenty-six, two males between ten and sixteen years, two males under 
ten, three females over forty-five years, three between sixteen and 

1 Archives, 99:224. 2 Vermont Revolutionary Rolls, p. 835. 

3 Adapted in part from an article by Elvira Holden Booth, Putney, Vt., 1903. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


309 


twenty-six, one between ten and sixteen and two under ten years, 
which show r s that in his family w r ere others than his ow r n children. 

The wdll of Francis Holden, dated 2 April, 1823, was proved 21 
May, 1823. He named wife Abigail, children Lydia Clark, John 
Holden, Laura W illiams, Sabra Conant, Abigail Crawdord, Caleb 
Holden. 1 


19313 Stephen {Stephen, Stephen , Stephen , Richard ), born 

16 March, 1745 2 , at Groton, that part now Shirley, Mass.; died 

7 Oct., 1821, 2 “in his 77th year” {g.s. at Westminster West, Vt.); 
married 1770, Martha Wason, born 15 March, 1747, 2 died 31 Jan., 
1831, 2 perhaps wddow of John Wason. 

Children : 2 

1 Martha, born 13 March, 1771; died 21 Aug., 1847;* married 31 Dec., 

1793, Josiah Shipley of Pepperell, Mass. 

2 Stephen, born 6 June, 1773; died 28 April, 1776. 

3 Susannah, born 26 March, 1775. “Removed from home in earlv 

life.” 

4 Stephen, born 7 April, 1777; died 9 Feb., 1803 2 { g . s . at Westminster 

West); married Submit, 3 who married 9 Jan., 1804, at Westminster, 
Amos Robinson. 

Child: 

1. Stephen Bartlet, born 18 March, 1803, at Westminster, “son 
of Stephen, Jr., and Submit.” 4 

5-5 John, born 19 June, 1779; died 1844; married Mary Raymond; 
(2) Mrs. Hannah (Cash) Atkins. 

6 Sarah, born 17 June, 1781; died 19 May, 1818. 2 

7 Thomas, born 25 March, 1783; died 17 April, 1783, at Shirley. 

8 Lucy, twin with Thomas; died 7 July, 1784. 2 

9 Elizabeth, born 17 July, 1786; married 8 Nov., 1812, William 

Bowers. See 16314-4. 

10 Emma, born 9 Sept., 1789. 

Stephen Holden w~as a farmer in Westminster, Vt., whither he 
removed about 1800. The Census of 1790 enumerated him in 
Shirley w T ith a family consisting of tw r o males under sixteen, seven 
females. 5 

In 1810 the Census found him at Westminster, head of a family of 
self, one male between sixteen and tw T enty-six, one under ten years, 
(probably his grandson, Stephen B.), one female over forty-five, one 
between sixteen and twenty-six, and one under ten years. 

1 Windham Probate. 

? Bible of Stephen Holden in possession of Mrs. Cynthia (Shipley) Cottle, born 1805, living 1912 
in Wisconsin, a granddaughter. The marriages of the children are taken from the R. W. and F. A. 
Holden Ms. 

8 R. W. Holden states that Stephen married 26 Dec., 1799, Susanna Lewis Tolman, daughter of Elijah 
and Experience Tolman. See 21734. 

4 Town records. • 

5 “Susanna Griffin from Gloucester came to dwell with Mr. Stephen Holden in Shirley.” (Town 
Records, 1:151.) May refer to family of 1931. 


310 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Stephen Holden enlisted 24 March, 1762, and served until the 
23 November, in company commanded by Captain James Reed. 1 

As a member of the company commanded by Captain Henry 
Haskell, Stephen Holden, Jr., responded to the Alarm of 19 April, 
1775. He returned home April 27. 2 According to the History of 
Shirley he enlisted for eight months, April, 1775. 

19314 Charles {Stephen, Stephen , Stephen , Richard ), born 
17 July, 1747, at Groton Mass.; married, second, 6 Sept., 1781, at 
Putney, Vt., 3 Deborah Crawford. 

Administration on estate of Charles Holden of W estminster was 
granted 24 April, 1822 to Sally Hubbard. 4 

Children : 5 

1-1 Stephen, born 1774; died 15 May, 1840; married Priscilla Johnson. 

By second marriage; born at Westminster, Vt.: 6 

2 Sally, born 9 May, 1783; ( ? married - Hubbard.) 

3 Charles, born 27 May, 1785. The Boston Advertiser of 6 June, 1813, 

records the marriage of Mr. Charles Holden and Miss Rachel 
Garnsey at Westminster, Vt. 

4 Sylvester, born 15 March, 1788. 

5 ? Daughter, living 1790. 

6 ? Daughter, living 1790. 

7 Polly, born 14 Feb., 1798. 

8 Asenath, born 20 April, 1799. 

9 Marvin, born 8 April, 1802. 

In March, 1767, Charles Holden from Hollis, N. H., was “warned” 
by the selectmen of Groton (General Sessions). In 1790 the United 
States Census enumerated Charles Holden 5 in Westminster having 
family of self, another male over sixteen, two males under sixteen, 
and four females. The only Holden in Putney 1790 was the “widow 
Holden” who had a family of self, four males under sixteen and two 
other females. In 1810 his family consisted of self and one other 
male over forty-five, two between sixteen and twenty-six, and one 
under ten; two females over forty-five, one between sixteen and 
twenty-six, two between ten and sixteen. 

Stephen Holden gave to his son Charles £10, by will dated 3 Feb., 
1791. 6 

19315 Zachariaii ( Stephen , Stephen , Stephen , Richard ), born 
3 April, 1750, at Groton (that part now in Shirley), Mass.; died 

1 Archives 99:224. * Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

* Vermont Vital Statistics. * Windham Probate. 

6 Susannah L. Holden of Shirley, mother of a child born 22 Sept., 1776, claimed that Charles Holden of 
Westminster, husbandman, was the father. (Sessions, November, 1776.) 

6 F. A. Holden mentions Charles as drowned “about 1780”; that he had been unable to learn the name 
of his wife; but that he was reported to have had “one child,” Stephen, born 1774 at Putney. Without 
other proof than shown above, it is assumed that Charles is the man whose family record is given above. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


311 


prior to 1791; married (published 8 Feb., 1776, at Shirley), Rebecca 
Martin of Derryfield, N. H. 1 

He was deceased at the time his father made his will, February, 
1791, in which a legacy was left to Zachariah’s son Zachariah and his 
“other children.” He was assessed at Derryfield, N. H., in 1778, and 
was tithingman there, and in 1778 enlisted for the defense of that 
place. He had already served in the army. He was a member of the 
company commanded by Captain Henry Haskell, Colonel James 
Prescott's regiment, which marched on the Alarm of 19 April, 1775, 
from Shirley. He enlisted at Cambridge, April 26, and was in the 
army in October, in Captain Samuel Gridley’s company, Colonel 
Richard Gridley’s regiment, as matross, having enlisted 7 June, 
1775. 2 He served 29 June to 6 July, 1777, in Captain David McQuig’s 
company, Colonel Moses Nichols’ regiment of militia, being of 
Litchfield. 3 

He probably removed with his brothers to Vermont, and it may be 
he who was drowned in or about 1780, the fate ascribed to his brother 
Charles by F. A. Holden. 

In 1790 the United States Census found at Putney a “widow 
Holden” who was head of a family consisting of self, four males 
under sixteen and two females. She is not found, nor is any Holden, 
at Putney in 1810. 

Children : 4 

1 Zachariah, named in his grandfather’s will, 1791. There was a 

Zachariah Holden in Brooklyn, Vt., 1810, head of a family of self, 
over 45, one female under 26, one under 10, and one male between 
10 and 16 years. 

2 ? Son, under 16 in 1790. 

3 ? Son, under 16 in 1790. 

4 ? Son, under 16 in 1790. 

5 ? Daughter, living 1790. 

6 ? Daughter, living 1790. 


19316 Sawtell {Stephen, Stephen , Stephen , Richard ), born 
13 May, 1753, at Groton (in that part now Shirley), Mass.; died 
October, 1840, 5 in Pennsylvania; married (published 16 Dec., 1778 6 ) 
30 Dec., 1778, at Groton, Hannah Cook, born 1760 in England, 


1 F A. Holden Ms. where no account of the family is found. 

2 Mass. Revolutionary Rolls. In N. H. State Papers, he is stated to have enlisted 7 Aug., 1775, for 
Derryfield. 

s N. H. Revolutionary Rolls. . , „ . _ .. , . 

4 In the R W. Holden Ms. four sons are named: Jonas, perhaps married Eunice 1 witchell, Stephen, 
who is queried, Charles, and Stephen. These were evidently obtained from a descendant of Jonas 193K, 
who named Zachariah in place of Jonas as his ancestor, and may properly be ascribed to the latter s family 
Yet these family names may have been given to sons of Zachariah. Descendants of a brother of Zachariah 
are found in Brookline, 1850-60 (see 1931243) and at Putney in 1850 lived Simon Holden, aged 35, born in 

Vermont, a tanner, but without a family. ,. 0 „ , inA 

6 Papers in pension case contain statement of his death in 1850 aged 100 years. 

6 At Shirley, where also appears the marriage intention of Sawtell Holden and Hannah Childs, 16 July, 
1774. 


312 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


died 1814, in Pennsylvania, daughter of-and Abigail (Golden) 

Cook. 1 

Children, 2 six eldest born at Shirley: 

1 Beulah Bancroft, born 9 Aug., 1781; died 1824; married 6 May, 
1802, at Shirley, Charles Warren, born 7 May, 1774, at Shirley, 
son of Ephraim and Sarah (Kezer) Warren. 

Children : 2 

1. Charles Warren. 

2. Levi Nelson Warren, born 29 Jan., 1835 (1805 3 ) at Shirley; 

living 1882 in Ohio; married Phebe Brown of Coventry, 
Conn. Children. 

3. Edmund Warren. 

4. Chauncey Warren. 

5. Sullivan Warren. 

6. Mary Warren. 

7. Sarah Warren, living in Michigan in 1882. 

8. James Warren. 

9. Horace Warren, living in Michigan in 1882. 

10. Infant. 

2-2 Julius Sawtell, born 13 Dec., 1783; died 1850-60; married Nancy B. 

3 Mary (Polly) Golden, born 20 May, 1785; married Colonel Moses 

Edgell of Lyme, N. H. 

4 Arethusa, born 7 Aug., 1787; died at Shirley, s.pr, married Darius 

Davis of Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 

5-5 Hannibal Carthage, born 20 May, 1789; died 10 Feb., 1859; married 
Sally Smith; (2) Rachel L. Cook. 

6 Lydia Prescott, born 24 Jan., 1791; married William Sweet. 

7 Octavius Augustus, born 15 July, 1793. 

8- 8 Gustavus Adolphus, born “at Woodbury, Vt.,” 15 June, 1796 

(recorded at Shirley); married Catherine Harvey. 

9- 9 Reuben C., born 1810 at Shrewsbury, Yt.; 4 married Sarah A. Webb; 

(2) Amelia Vaughn. 

Sawtell Holden appears under many aliases. He himself wrote 
his name sometimes Sawtell and sometimes Sartile, which was the 
common pronunciation of the name. It also appears as Satie, Sart- 
well, Sawtle. There are a number of conveyances to or from him on 
record, and he appears to have been a man of energy and good estate. 
Lie was a defendant in Court actions on more than one occasion. 5 

He was a member of the company of Captain Henry Haskell which 
responded to the Alarm of 19 April, 1775, and returned home April 
27. He again served from 10 Sept, to 29 Nov., 1779, in company 
commanded by Captain Aaron Jewett, Colonel Samuel Bullard’s 

1 The father of Hannah Cook died soon after arrival in Boston. His widow lived to be ninety-eight 
years of age. She was the daughter of John and Abigail Golden. The migration took place about 17(59, 
when Hannah was nine years of age. She was eighteen years of age at marriage (F. A. Holden Ms.). 

2 F. A. Holden Ms. The births of the children, except the last, are recorded at Shirley. 

3 Bolton record. 4 Vermont Census, 1860. 

6 Sarah Holden of Charlestown, Mass., mother of a child born 18 May, 1776, charged Sawtell Holden 
with being the father. This was in September. The child was living ( Middlesex Sessions), but sex 
and history are unknown. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


313 


regiment, marching to Saratoga. 1 It is said he removed to Shrews¬ 
bury, \ t., in 1812, having formerly lived in Woodbury, and thence 
to Pennsylvania, where he purchased 750 acres on the Susquehanna 
River. His pension papers give further details. According to his 
own statement he settled in Pennsylvania in 1800 in Bradford 
County. It is also stated that he removed from Vermont in 1802, 
to Asylum, Bradford Co., Penn., and that in 1834 he was a resident 
of Windsor, Penn. 

The Census of 1790 found him at Shirley, head of a family consist¬ 
ing of two males over sixteen, two males under sixteen, and three 
females. He was then living on a farm of 120 acres which belonged 
to Mary Cook, widow, and which with 40 acres additional, he bought 
of her 1 Oct., 1790. He made other purchases of real estate and also 
appears a grantor in the decade preceding 1790. He sold a farm of 
130 acres with buildings and a pew in the meeting house, 8 Feb., 
1794. 2 It is said that the children of Sawtell Holden each received 
from their grandmother Cook, $300 in money, some pewter and also 
gold and silver-ware. By gold and silver-ware were intended small 
articles of jewelry, as for instance, Bulah received a pair of gold 
“ear nuts, ” a silver trail pin, and silk clothes. 3 

13 June, 1834, in Bradford County, Penn., Sartile Holden, resident 
of Bradford, aged 81 years, made declaration: That he was born in 
Groton, in that part now Shirley, Mass., 13 May, 1753. In which 
town, on 1 Jan., 1775, agreeable to an order of the then provincial 
government of Mass., and in defense thereof, he enlisted under 
Captain Henry Herskill, in the regiment commanded by Colonel 
William Prescott, as a minute man, to serve during the pleasure of 
the government. 

On 18 April, 1775, he with others, was called for, and on the nine¬ 
teenth arrived at Lexington in time to join in the pursuit of the 
retreating British troops to Boston; after which he continued to serve 
at Roxbury and Cambridge until the enemy evacuated Boston 
17 March 1776, (he was with the troop at the time the battery was 
erected on Breed’s Hill and the action that followed, generally called 
the battle of Bunker’s Hill); after which he was dismissed. On 
June 1, 1776 the State of Massachusetts again called for troops “to 
reinforce the Northern Army”; he offered his services and marched 
to Ticonderoga, by way of Number 4, now Charlestown, N. H., 
through the wilderness of Vermont, by way of Otter Creek. The 
company to which he belonged was the second company of Jonathan 
Reed’s regiment, commanded by Captain Joshua Parker, the 
brigade was commanded by General Breckett. 

Soon after his arrival, he with others, was detached to reinforce 

1 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

2 Middlesex Deeds 115:78. 

3 F. A. Holden Ms. 


314 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


the fleet under Waterbary and Arnold. The term of Read’s regiment 
expired December 1, but a large portion served over their time at 
the requisition of General Gates; among whom was the deponent, 
who was among the last permitted to return home. Whole service 
at this time six months and ten days. 

Again in July another call w r as made for troops, and he marched 
to Bemis Heights, near Stillwater. The company he belonged to 
was commanded by Captain Aaron H. Jewett, of the regiment under 
Colonel Bullard and Brig.-General Warner. He was in the battle 
of 19 September and of 7 October, when General Arnold was wounded. 
After the capture of General Burgoyne he was marched down the 
river in pursuit of the enemy who had burned Esopus and retreated. 
Their march continued, encamping at different places, once near 
White Plains, to New Jersey; being desired to stay until the enemy 
had taken their winter quarters. The regiment was called out for 
three months service, but he continued, with such portions as 
remained, full six weeks after their time had expired. 

He then joined Captain Smith’s company and performed services 
until he was discharged on account of ill health. 

Formal discharges were not at this time usually given to State 
troops. It was his fortune to perform much of the service in this 
campaign, as in the preceding ones, under officers other than those 
of the company and regiment to which he belonged, sometimes from 
choice and permission; sometimes by being detached; sometimes 
under those of the Continental line; at others those of the State. 
He was once at Bennington under a Captain Winchester and once 
under Colonel David Brewer with a large force towards Fort Edward. 

All the evidence in his power to offer is the deposition of Jonas 
Holden, of Crown Point, Essex County, N. Y., and of Asa Holden, 
of Langdon, Sullivan Co., N. H. 

After the war he resided in the same town where he was born 
until the year 1794, when he removed to the State of Vermont, and 
from thence in 1800, to Pennsylvania, where he has resided to the 
present time. 

14 Jan., 1834, Asa Holden of Langdon, New Hampshire, 76 years 
of age, deposed: I was acquainted with Sartile (Sawtell) Holden, 
formerly of Shirley, son of Stephen Holden of Shirley from a child 
to manhood; also I was with him in the War of the Revolution at 
Cambridge, Mass., for the term of eight months; and at Saratoga, 
at the capture of Burgoyne in 1777. Myself and said Sartile both 
enlisted for three months; I know that he stayed over his term of 
enlistment, and that I was with him at Cambridge in 1775. 

22 Jan., 1834, Jonas Holden, of Crown Point, New York, about 
82 years of age, deposed: I was acquainted and was with Sartile 
Holden, formerly of Shirley in the War of the Revolution, in the 


FIFTH GENERATION 


315 


campaign at Ticonderoga, in the fall of the year 1776, and I believe 
that the said Sartile Holden belonged to Colonel Reed’s regiment, 
and was at Ticonderoga about six months. 


19341 Lemuel ( Philemon, Stephen, Stephen, Richard ), born 
27 June, 1751, at Groton, Mass.; married (intention 2 June, 1780, at 
Shirley), Lucy Bartlett, born Sept. 22, 1746, at Cambridge, Mass., 
daughter of William and Silence (Twing) Bartlett. 

Children : l 

1 Dennis, died 17 Aug., 1847, s.p at Preston, N. Y.; married Susan, 
who married (2), prior to October, 1848, David Eccleston. His 
wife and his nephews, Wilson and Bartlett Holden, were his heirs. 
2-2 William, married Lucy Bacon. 

Lemuel Holden made application for a pension 20 June, 1818. He 
declared he was aged 66 years, a resident of Chesterfield, N. H., and 
that he enlisted 1 Jan., 1776, in Shirley, Mass., in the company com¬ 
manded by Captain Benjamin Perkins, regiment of infantry com¬ 
manded by Colonel Moses Little on the Continental Establishment; 
that he served as a private in the said corps until the month when 
he was discharged, February, 1777, in the State of New Jersey and 
that he was in the battle of Long Island and White Plains. Sworn to 
at Fitzwilliam, 14 Aug., 1818. 

Major Silvanus Smith and Captain John Kelsey both swear that 
they served with Lemuel Holden. 

Lemuel Holden was a member of the company of Captain Henry 
Haskell which marched from Shirley on the Alarm of 19 April, 1775; 
served eighteen days. He enlisted 14 July, 1775, in Captain Robert 
Longley’s company, Whitcomb s regiment, and was at Prospect 
Hill, August and September, 1775. He also served two months, 
nine days, in Captain John Minot’s company at Warwick Neck in 
Rhode Island, being discharged 9 July, 1777. He enlisted 15 Aug., 
1777, and served until 29 Nov., 1727, in Captain Aaron Jewett’s 
company, Bullard’s regiment, at Saratoga. He again enlisted 17 May, 
1779, in Captain Moses Barnes’ company, Peirce’s regiment, for two 
months, and served in Rhode Island to 1 July, 1779. 2 

In 1790 he was enumerated at Chesterfield, N. H., head of family 
consisting of self, two males under sixteen and one female. 


19346 Philemon ( Philemon, Stephen, Stephen, Richard ), born 
24 May, 1762, at Shirley, Mass.; died October, 1804, at Acton, now 
part of Townshend, Vt.; 3 married (intention 19 Oct., 1782, at Shirley), 


1 R. W. Holden Ms. 

2 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

3 Information of S. A. Holden of Windham, Vt., 1912, 
records, etc. 


who had access to family Bible record, town 


316 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Huldah Davis, bom 3 Nov., 1763, 1 at Shirley, died at Townshend, 
daughter of John and Huldah (Thayer) Davis 1 of Shirley. 
Children, 2 born at Townshend, except perhaps the eldest: 

1 Sabra, born 23 Dec., 1782, “supposed at Shirley” 2 (not recorded 
there); died 13 Dec., 1815; 3 married 8 Jan., 1804, at Reading, Vt., 2 
Josiah Gates of Townshend, born 8 Oct., 1783, at Stow, Mass., 
died 10 March, 1812, at Townshend, son of Caleb and Mindwell 
(Oaks) Gates. 4 
Children : 4 

1. Artemas Gates. 

2. Josiah Gates. 

3. John Gates. 

* 4. Emery Gates. 

5. Caleb Gates. 

2-2 Dennis, born 6 Dec., 1784; died 15 July, 1872; married Achsah 
Gates. 

3 Sylvanus, born 1 Jan., 1788; “ He had at least one daughter. ” 6 Lived 
in Enosburg, Yt. 

4-4 Squire, born 14 July, 1789; died 13 Jan., 1855; married Lucy Chaffin . 
5 John, born 31 May, 1791; lived in Jackson, N. Y., and had a son 
Philemon. 

6- 6 Willard, born 8 Feb., 1793; died 18 Aug., 1880; married Sally Rice . 

7- 7 Jonas, born 1 June, 1796; died 6 June, 1838; married Roxanna 

Jordan. 

8 Lorenzo, born 5 Sept., 1798. Lived in New York State and held the 
office of sheriff, possibly in Luzerne. 


Philemon Holden enlisted from Shirley as a fifer 27 May, 1775, 
then but thirteen years old. He served until October, 1775, in com¬ 
pany commanded by Captain Abner Pomeroy, Colonel John Fellow’s 
(8th) regiment, and was in the service 28 Nov., 1775. He appears 
as a musician in company commanded by Captain Isaac Wood, 
Colonel Jonathan Reed’s regiment of guards, as enlisted 31 March, 
1778, and served three months at Cambridge. He also served as a 
fifer in Captain Joshua Leland’s company of guards stationed at 
the forts in Boston Harbor, from 30 Sept, to 10 Nov., 1779. 5 

In 1837, then a resident of Londonderry, Yt., he deposed that he 
knew Phinehas Holden (his brother) was a Revolutionary pensioner. 6 

He was also a member of Captain Tyler's company of Vermont 
militia in 1780. 7 He was one of the proprietors of Johnson’s Gore, 
which later was incorporated as Acton, and now is part of Townshend, 

1 Shirley Vital Records. 

2 Information of S. A. Holden of Windham, Vt., 1912, who had access to family Bible record, town 
records, etc. The births are found on Townshend records, where Sabra’s name is found with same birth 
date (in the copy supplied) as that of Dennis. They were not twins. 

3 Information of S. A. Holden, who also gives date 16 July, 1854, which was date of death of Mrs. 
Achsah (Gates) Holden. 

4 Ms. Oalcs Genealogy, library of N. E. Hist. Gen. Soc. 

5 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls, and F. A. Holden Ms. 

6 Pension records, case of Phinehas Holden. 7 R. W. Holden Ms. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


317 


\ t., and a “lister there in 1802. He was a farmer . 1 His nephew 
Philemon, son of Phinehas, settled at Londonderry, Vt., prior to 
1831, and remained there. 

Administration on his estate was granted 6 Nov., 1804. 

19347 Phinehas ( Philemon , Stephen , Stephen , Richard ), born 6 
April, 1764, at Shirley, Mass.; died September, 1836, at Londonderry, 
Vt .; 2 married Mary Craig of Shirley . 2 He married, second, 9 Sept., 
1827, at Brookline , 2 N. H., Sukey Green of Brookline, N. H., who 
married second, 12 Nov., 1844, being then of Wilton, N. H., Stephen 
Mansur of Wilton , 3 who died 11 May, I 860 , at Wilton . 3 She was living 
at Margate, N. H., in 1868, aged 73. 2 
Children : 4 

1 Love, born 1 Aug., 1792, at (Pepperell 5 ) Shirley. 

2 Theodore, born 28 Jan., 1794, at Shirley; of Detroit, 1822 (bought 

land) ; 6 died prior to 1869 in Branch County, Michigan. He had 

a son William, married- Gillett, and probably settled near 

Lansing; also a daughter who had removed from Michigan before 

1869. The daughter married- Swick and lived near 

Fremont, Ind. Had son Theodore Swick. 

3 Moses, born 20 Jan., 1796, at Shirley. 

4 Polly (Mary), born 3 July, 1798, at Brookline. 

5 Phineas Walker, born 9 April, 1800, at Brookline; married Susanna. 

6 Lucy, born 20 Feb., 1803, at Brookline. 7 

7- 7 Philemon, born 22 Nov., 1804, at Brookline; 7 died 10 May, 1880; 

married Sally Faulkner; (2) Mrs. Rhoda Wyman Howard. 

8- 8 Denias (Dennis), born 17 (19) July, 1806, at Brookline; 7 died 11 

Dec., 1880; married Hannah W. Mills. 

9- 9 Alvah, born 10 June, 1812, at Brookline; married-Stevens; 

(2) Caroline E. Hickox. 

10 Lorenzo. 

11 Horatio, born at Brookline, N. H. 

12 Lavia. 

13 Lorinda. 

By second marriage: 

14 Therza Ann, born 24 Feb., 1828, at Brookline; 7 married-Worden. 

15 Abzana (Abzina), born 12 May, 1830, at Brookline. 7 “Of Manchester 

Mills.” 

16 Irena, born 29 Jan., 1833, at Brookline. 7 “Of Manchester Mills.’ 

17 George Washington, born 6 Feb., 1835, at Brookline. 7 “Of Man¬ 

chester Mills.” 

1 R. W. Holden Ms. 2 Pension records and F. A. Holden Ms. 

2 Pension papers, deposition of Philemon Holden. . , „ . . T 

4 The six eldest are recorded at Shirley, the places of birth being given. The names ot all but Love are 
found in an old family memorandum, now in possession of Edwin Holden (19347.J9), listed as children 
of Phinehas and followed by a list of “cousins of Alvah Holden,” naming William, Mary, Catherine 
and Rozelynda Holden (perhaps children of Theodore), all living in Michigan. I heodore G. Holden or 
Camden, Hillsdale Co., Mich., is also named, 
s F. A. Holden Ms. 

6 Commissioner’s records, 
i Brookline records. 






318 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Phinehas Holden enlisted from Shirley, July, 1780, for six months; 
he was described as 16 years of age, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, of light 
complexion. He reported at Springfield July 12, and is carried on 
a later roll as “deserted.” He made no reference to this service 
in his pension declaration, but gave the following service record: 
Enlisted when 13 years of age, in 1778, in company of Captain Nathan 
Smith of Shirley, and served nine months at Ball’s Point, Rhode 
Island. In 1781 he enlisted from Shirley for six months in the Con¬ 
tinental Army, and served in the company of Captain Sylvanus Smith, 
Colonel Bigelow’s regiment, and was stationed at West Point. On his 
return his pocket-book was stolen with his discharge in it. In 1781 he 
enlisted for five months to go to Rhode Island, in company of Captain 
Asa Drury, 1 and served until discharged. 

At the time of making this declaration he was 68 years of age and 
stated that about thirty-six years since he had removed to Brookline 2 
where he then lived. This was September, 1832. With the papers 
is a copy of themarriage record of “Phineas Holden and Sukey Green.” 

Phinehas Holden, cooper, was one of Shays’ followers, and took 
oath of allegiance, after the trouble, 30 Mar., 1787. According 
to Henry W. Holden, a grandson, he was in the War of 1812, as were 
some of his sons. The second wife was well remembered by Henry, 
who also stated that he thought Theodore settled in Hillsboro Co., 
Mich., and another son in Herkimer Co., N. Y., and another at 
Londonderry, Vt. According to the New Hampshire Telegraph , he 
died at Nashua, 4 July, 1835, described as “Phineas Holden, of 
Brookline, aged 70, a revolutionary veteran present at the 
Independence Day celebration” in Nashua. 

19348 Sylvanus ( Philemon , Stephen , Stephen , Richard ), born 
17 March, 1766 at Shirley, Mass.; died there 5 April, 1843; married 
(published 16 Jan., 1791 at Shirley 3 ) Polly Bathrick of Lunenburg, 4 
died 14 Oct., 1849, aged 80 years, 11 months, 18 days. 3 (13 Oct., 
g.s.) Farmer. 

Children , 4 born at Shirley : 3 

1 - 1 Luke, born 17 July, 1791; married (1) Rebecca Polley; (2) Mrs. 
Betsey Fairbanks. 

2- 2 Sylvanus, born 3 May, 1793; died 1 Aug., 1870; married Lucy 

Ramsdell. 

3- 3 Rufus, born 22 March, 1795; died May, 1831; married Piiila 

Webber. 

4 Polly, born 8 June, 1797; died 18 Nov., 1875; married 6 April, 1820, 
James Holden; (2) 20 April, 1848, Peter Washburn. 

1 Pension papers. He thought his company was in Colonel Turner's Massachusetts regiment. 

2 Yet he is not enumerated at Brookline 1810, the only Holden there being William, nor does he aoneir 
in the Vermont census of 1810. 

3 Shirley Vital Records. * F. A. Holden Ms. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


319 


o 5 Reuben, born 30 March, 1799; died 15 Aug., 1858; married Mary 
Chute. 

6 Leander, born 23 June, 1801; died 12 May, 1878; unmarried. 1 
7-7 Philemon, born 6 Oct., 1803; married Eliza Stuart; (2) Sarah A. 
Rollins. 

8 Erie, born 23 Dec., 1806; died 13 July, 1849, at Lunenburg; married 

5 May, 1833, Ann T. Goodrich, born 9 June, 1817, died at Spring- 
field, Mass., daughter of Asaph W. and Hepzibeth (Rugg) Goodrich 
of Fitchburg. She married (2) Francis Goodrich. 

9 Lucy, born 25 Dec., 1808; living at Gardner, 1877, unmarried. 1 

19373 Simon" (Simon, Stephen, Stephen, Richard), born 22 May, 
1757, at Shirley, Mass.; died 22 July, 1826, at Lunenburg, Mass.; 
married (published 20 Sept., 1777, at Shirley) Mary Pierce. He 
married, second, 20 April (Nov.), 1794, at Shirley, Lydia Page, born 
10 Dec., 1748, died 8 Oct., 1827, at Shirley, 3 daughter of Simon and 
Hannah (Gilson) Page of Shirley. Her heirs were Luther, Peter, 
James and Simon Page. 

Simon Holden, Jr., is enumerated in the census of 1790. His 
family consisted of himself, two males under sixteen, and three 
females. 

Children : 4 

1 Polly (Molly), born 20 Sept., 1778, at Shirley; married 1 April, 

1798, Samuel Sever, a farmer, of Charlestown, N. H. 

Children : 5 

1. Mary B. Sever, born 25 Nov., 1799; died 2 Nov., 1868, at 

Charlestown; married 18 April, 1826, Ara Powers, born 
1797, died 29 Sept., 1865, at Charlestown, son of Samuel and 
Chloe (Cooper) Powers. 

2. Valeria A. Sever, born 6 May, 1805; died 31 July, 1871, at 

Charlestown; married “Deacon” John Putnam, born 24 
June, 1799, died 3 Sept., 1865, at Charlestown, son of Timothy 
and Sarah (Hewitt) Putnam. 

3. Louisa J. Sever, born 6 Nov., 1809; married Nahum Dodge of 

Stoddard, N. H., son of Elisha (Elijah) and Sarah (Jackson) 
Dodge. 

2 Simon, born 27 June, 1780, at Shirley; died 9 June, 1805 (g.s. at 

Shirley), s.p.; married 11 Nov., 1804, at Shirley, Mary Kezer, 
born 16 Sept., 1783, at Groton, Mass., died 7 Dec., 1875, daughter 
of Jonathan and Bathsheba (Alexander) Ivezer. She married (2) 
12 Oct., 1811, David Fuller, who died in 1823, and she married (3) 
Samuel Patch, who died 28 May, 1869. 


*F. A. Holden Ms. 

2 See Woburn Epitaphs, p. 135, for a note concerning Simon’s descendants. 

•Mrs. Bolton’s record in Shirley Vital Records. 

^Frederick W. Holden in 1900 asserted he had learned from correspondence that there were in all 
eleven children, eight of whom he names as above, having their names from his great aunt. Perhaps 
two of the unnamed children were daughters and living in 1790. 

6 See History 'of Shirley , Mass., p. 4G6, for descendants. 


320 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


3-3 Nathan, born 1782 (baptized 13 Nov., 1784 1 ); died 13 April, 1807; 

married Delia Dickerson. 

4 Hezekiah, baptized 5 May, 1782; drowned in infancy. 1 

5- 5 Luther, born July, 1786 (baptized July, 1785 1 ); died 1 (18 1 ) Sept., 

1830; married Delia (Dickerson) Holden. 

6- 6 James, born 13 Nov., 1789; died 25 May, 1865; married Pamelia 

Allen. 

7 Eliza, born 1 April, 1791, at Shirley; married 2 Jan., 1812, Alvan 

Fletcher, born 11 July, 1770, son of Jonathan Fletcher, who was 

in the Battle of Bunker Hill. They lived at Ripton, Vt. 

Children: 2 

1. Levi Wilson Fletcher, born 4 Aug., 1814; died 5 Sept., 1836. 

2. Valeria Ann Fletcher, born 26 Jan., 1816; married 27 Aug., 1834, 

Pliny Clark of Andover, Vt., later of Montrose, Wis. 

3. Samuel Seaver Fletcher, born 26 May, 1817; resided at Goshen, 

Vt. 

4. Edwin Francis Fletcher, born 4 May, 1819; died 9 March, 1840. 

5. Calvin Thornton Fletcher, born 9 July, 1820; died 2 May, 1838. 

6. Louisa Jane Fletcher, born 26 Dec., 1821; married Morris 

Pierce of Westminster, Vt. Their son Alvan Pierce was a 

member of Co. G, 11th Vermont Volunteers. 

7. Joanna Burbank Fletcher, born 29 Oct., 1828; married N. W. 

Cobb. 

8 Hannah, married Duncan Cook; (2) Nathan Darling. 

Simon Holden served in company commanded by Henry Haskell, 
Colonel James Prescott’s regiment, which marched from Shirley 
on the Alarm of 19 April, 1775, and returned home 25 April. He 
appears as corporal in Captain Job Shattuck’s company, Colonel 
John Robinson’s regiment, for service in camp at Cambridge, 
March, 1776. (From Parker’s diary we learn that the company per¬ 
formed fifty-eight days duty about Boston from early March.) This 
tour of duty, however, may have been by his father, for in a company 
dated “1776,” Simon Holden, private, is reported as having lost his 
knapsack in battle and as being at White Plains, fit for duty, hence 
in service in October, 1776. 

Parker notes the election of Simon Holden by the local company 
at Shirley, as corporal, 20 Nov., 1778. 

Parker also notes that Simeon Holden was enlisted 29 Jan., 1776, 
for two months, and although there is no extant roll for this period 
which gives his name he doubtless served in the army before Boston 
during this critical period of reorganizing and re-enlisting the 
army. 

Simon Holden, Jr., conveyed to Ovid Houston of Dunstable, 
2 May, 1787, five acres in Dunstable, together with half the dwelling 

1 Mrs. Bolton's record in Shirley Vital Records 
2 Fletcher Genealogy, p. 44. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


321 


house, the property of heirs of Mr. William Gordon, deceased,” 1 
Mary Holden, wife of Simon released. 2 In June, 1788, Simon Holden 
sold twenty acres in Dunstable. 


193/5 Abraham 3 ( Simon, Stephen, Stephen, Richard), born 
25 June, 1761, at Shirley, Mass.; died later than 1839, probably in 
New York State; married-who was born in 1771. 4 

Children : 4 

1 Betsey, born 1803; married 9 Feb., 1823, at Stockbridge, John 

Slade of Stockbridge, Vt. 5 

2 Abraham, born 1806. 

3 Abel, twin with Abraham. 

4 Orilla, born 1808. 

5 Rosilla, born 1811; married 4 March, 1832, at Stockbridge, Orrin 

A. Tyler of Stockbridge. 6 

There was an Alvan Holden of Stockbridge, Vt., who married 
14 Feb., 1830, at Barnard, Mary Chamberlin and settled in 
Barnard. 

Abraham Holden enlisted in the company of Captain Nathan 
Smith, Colonel Jacob’s regiment, and his name appears on the roll 
of that company November, 1778. He enlisted for three years at 
Shirley, 1 Jan., 1781, and was then aged 20 years, 5 ft., 9 in. in height 
of dark complexion, dark eyes, and light hair. 6 

The above service record agrees with his statement in August, 
1820, when he applied for a pension. He declared he was aged 59 
years, was a resident of Stockbridge, Vt., and that he enlisted in 
January, 1778, in Smith’s company, Jacobs’ regiment, and served 
until December, and that he again enlisted 1 Jan., 1781, and served 
until July, 1783, in Captain Abner Ward’s company, Colonel M. 
Jackson’s regiment, Massachusetts line. He was discharged because 
of an injury to his knee. He was unable to perform any considerable 
labor because of the lameness of his knee and had also a rupture. His 
wife, unnamed, was aged 49 years, was in poor health, and he also 
named his children, giving their ages as 17, 14, 12 and 9 years, and 
asserted that all but Rosilla were not of strong constitution. 4 In 

1 William Gorden, merchant, of Boston, died 1736, leaving a will probated 8 Feb., 1736-7. He had no 
children, and left his estate to friends James and Alexander Gorden, the former’s wife Elizabeth and 
son W illiam. James Gorden was appointed executor and the residue of the estate was to be divided among 
his children. In 1753, James Gordon of Boston, merchant, sold land in Dunstable, and the following year 
from affection for his only son William, who was living with him, and at the desire of his wife Elizabeth, 
mother of William, he conveyed to him land in Hopkinton. James Gordon with John Erving, Esq., and 
Captain Robert W r att, were managers of the fund of the Scots Charitable Association. W r illiam Gordon 
of Dunstable appears in 1771 as administrator of estate of James Gordon (Suffolk files, 147,980). He 
died 1777, leaving wife Temperance and several children The only connection of a Holden with the 
family appears to have been the undertaking of bondsman by Captain Nathaniel Holden of Dunstable 
for Cosmo Gordon, who with his brother James were executors of their mother’s will. The connection 
with Simon Holden is not seen. 

2 Middlesex Deeds, 95: 310. 

3 This man has been confounded with Abraham of Louden, N. H., later of Leicester, Vt. 

4 Papers in pension case. 6 Town records. 6 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls 



322 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


February, 1840, he applied for payment of his pension in New York 
State, he being then a resident of Livingston County, whither he had 
removed to be near three of his children who had married. His 
payment was paid from Albany to 4 Sept., 1839. (Certificate of 
Comptroller's Office, May 19, 1840, and the pensioner may have 
deceased before that date.) 

His name does not occur as head of a family in the United States 
Census of 1790, and it is probable he was not at that time married. 


19379 James (Simon, Stephen, Stephen, Richard ), born 19 Feb., 
1772, at Shirley; died 1815, at Westminster; 1 married 19 Nov., 1795, 2 
at Westminster, 3 Persis Ray, born 28 April, 1770, at Westminster, 3 
died 22 June, 1841, 2 daughter of Asa and Mary Ray. He was at one 
time a resident of Lunenburg, later of Ashburnham, probably to 
1804. 

Children : 2 

1 Sally, born 20 May, 1790, 3 at Ashburnham; died 25 Aug., 1858; 2 
married 3 Dec., 1818, at Gardner 3 (described as of Westminster), 
Lebbeus Priest. 

2-2 James, born 15 June, 1798, at Ashburnham; 3 married 8 May, 1820, at 
Shirley, 3 Polly Holden, his second cousin. 2 

3 Malinda, 4 born 14 July, 1801; married Daniel Holbrook of Boston, 

born 1796. 2 

4 Stillman, born 16 March, 1804, at Shirley; 3 will proved 1889; married 

19 Nov., 1835, at Gardner, 3 Molly Kelton, who died 15 Sept., 
1865 2 (probably daughter of Samuel and Molly Kelton, born 
18 Oct., 1791, at Gardner); (2) Sarah Thompson. He removed to 
Erving. 

5 Levi, born 27 (26 2 ) 1806 3 at Shirley; died 27 Jan., 1863 (1853?); 

married 24 June, 1835, at Westminster, 3 Phebe Temple of Gardner. 
Children, born at Gardner: 3 

1. Leander, born 29 April, 1839; died 11 Sept., 1839. 

2. Mary, born 15 Sept., 1842; died 29 Sept., 1842. 

6 Heman, born 29 teb., 1808; died 8 July, 1874, at Erving, leaving will 

dated 3 Sept., 1873, proved 1 Sept., 1874; married 15 Feb., 1843, 
Harriet Darling, born 6 March, 1818 2 (perhaps the Harriet M. of 
Aslifield, whose will was proved 1896). Heman Holden bought 
land n Erving in 1846. 

Chi’dren: 2 

1. Jennie S., born 22 April, 1846; living unmarried, Sept., 1873. 

2. Daughter, born 9, died 10 Jan., 1848. 

7 7 Elbridge, born 13 Jan., 1811; died 8 Sept., 1882; married Louisa 

Baker; (2) Trypiiosa Rolph. 


i Worcester Probate Index. Not on Westminster records. 

« u A ‘ Holden Ms - 3 Town records 

fourteeTvcJ^ln-lT' 1 ^ Tt a PP°j» t ^ guardian, 13 Dec. 1815, of James and Malinda Holden, over 
iourteen years, children of James Holden of Lunenburg, deceased. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


323 


193K2 Charles {Jonas, Stephen, Stephen, Richard), born 4 Dec., 
1779, at Shirley, Mass.; died 17 May, 1857 1 “aged 76,” at Walling¬ 
ford, Vt.; married 2 Polly Bigelow, 3 who died 22 Aug., 1846, 1 
daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Oak) Bigelow, formerly of Ash- 
burnham, and later of Vermont. Farmer. In 1850 he was living 
with his son Nathan. 

Children : 4 

1 - 1 Nathan Bigelow, born 11 Oct., 1818, at Mt. Holly;* died 20 Aug., 
1879; married Sophronia Hill. 

2 Reed, died young. 

3- 3 Alvin, born 1804-1805; died 6 March, 1888; married Almira Ives; 

(2) Emily Johnson. 

4- 4 Fitch, born 13 Aug., 1806 at Mt. Holly; died 26 Sept., 1871; married 

Chloe Todd. 

5 Eliza, died 1855; married- Crowley. 

Children: 

1. Son. 

2. Son. 

3. Daughter. 

4. Daughter. 

193K4 Luther {Jonas, Stephen, Stephen, Richard), born 9 Jan., 
1782, at “Jeffery, N. H.” (in “Massachusetts” 6 ); died “aged 102” 
(living in November, 1877); married 7 Jan., 1811, at Wallingford, 
Vt., Patty Howard, daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Biam) Howard. 
He married (2) 6 July, 1840, at Wallingford, Mrs. Betsey Grove 
Warner, died 23 Aug., 1877, aged 77 years, widow of William S. 
Warner, daughter of William and Juda (Boker) Graves. By her 
first marriage she had William, Martin and Robert Warner. 

Luther Holden was living in November, 1877, at South Walling¬ 
ford, Vt., at that time ninety-six years old, “the oldest Holden in 
America.” 7 His grandson wrote, “He is very smart, milks a cow, 
takes care of stock, and he tended half an acre of corn the past 
season. Goes to town half a mile and attends to all his business 
personally. His mind and ear are hard to cheat.” His mother, Sarah 
Holden, was living with him in 1850, aged ninety-three years. 8 
Children, born at Wallingford, Vt.: 

1 Sarah Lorana, born 24 May, 1812 ; 9 married 1 May, 1831, at Walling¬ 
ford, David Maxham, born 2 July, 1804, at Wallingford, son of 
David and Phidelia (Doty) Maxham. 

1 Information of Rosanna S. Hemenway. 

2 Also said to have married Rebecca Ives (letter of Mrs. Rosanna Hemenway, 1917). 

3 R. W. Holden Ms., apparently quoting Oaks Genealogy, asserts she was sister to John Bigelow who 
married his sister Harriet. 

4 F. A. Holden Ms., confirmed by various family accounts. Charles R. Holden (193K24-5 +), states 
that Charles Holden lived at Crown Point, N. Y., and had two brothers, Luther and Stephen, and that his 
son Fitch was born at Mount Holly. 

6 Record in family Bible in possession Mrs. M. E. Roseberry. 

» Vermont Census of 1850, where his age is given as sixty-six years and that of his wife, fifty-five years. 

7 F. A. Holden Ms 8 Vermont census. * Wallingford records. 



324 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children: 

1. Marshall R. Maxham, born 27 July, 1832; married. 

2. Luther Holden Maxham, born 21 April, 1834; married. 

3. Martha A. Maxham, born 16 Aug., 1840; married. 

4. George L. Maxham, born 11 Feb., 1845; married. 

5. Oscar A. Maxham, born 28 Sept., 1852; married. 

All living in 1877, at which date there were ten grandchildren and 
one of the next generation living. No deaths had occurred in 
the family. 

2-2 Jonas Reed, born 22 May, 1816; died 29 (18) 1 Dec., 1868; married 
Clarissa Niles; (2) Mary A. Burgess. 

3 Marbury Matilda, born 5 June, 1818; 2 married 18 Feb., 1841, 

William C. Boice, son of William and Nancy (Cooper) Boice. 
Children: 

1. Atta E. Boice, born 1 Jan., 1842; died 1 Oct., 1876; married 

1 Jan., 1861, at Rutland, Vt., Warren Blanchard, born 
20 Aug., 1839, son of Peter and Roxy (Littlefield) 
Blanchard. 

2. Emily Boice, born 17 Nov., 1843; married 6 Sept., 1861, at 

Salem, N. Y., Henry Allen, born 12 Feb., 1838, son of Henry 
and Sarah (Brooks) Allen. 

3. Minnie Boice, born 13 Feb., 1860; died 10 Jan., 1868. 

4 Antepast, born 28 July, 1822; died 1 April, 1825. 

5 Lucinda L., born 4 April, 1825; married 22 Jan., 1847, at White 

Creek, N. Y., Nathan Niles, son of Charles and Susan (Briggs) 
Niles. 

Children: 

1. Noble Niles, born 20 Dec., 1847; married 9 April, 1870, at White 

Creek, N. Y., Phebe Shantee, born 27 Jan., 1854, daughter 
of John and Delia (Woodward) Shantee. 3 

2. Martha Niles, born 2 Aug., 1849. 

3. Emma Niles, born 3 March, 1858 married 31 Oct., 1877, at 

Bennington, Vt., Truman Malloy, born 8 Sept., 1852, son 
of Israel and Julia Ann (Bromley) Malloy. 3 

4. Eva Niles, born 3 Nov., 1859. 

6- 6 Antepast E., born 3 Sept., 1827; married Sarah E. Burgess. 

7- 7 Jesse, born 13 March, 1830; married Louise Hudson. 

8 — 8 Zimri Howard, born 13 Feb., 1834; married Clara Roberts. 

193K5 Stephen (Jonas, Stephen, Stephen, Richard), born 10 
Nov., 1788 (aged 62 in 1850), 4 at Ludlow, Vt.; died 17 Feb., 1885, 
aged “97 years”; 6 married 19 Dec., 1812, Priscilla Barnard, 
living 1860, aged 72, “born in New Hampshire.” She died, aged 

98. 5 He was a farmer at Mt. Holly, Vt., 4 where he was living in 
1877. 


] Town clerk 2 Wallingford records. 3 R. \y. Holden Ms. 

4 Census 1850. 

6 Nelson TV. Cook of Mt. Holly, who was at the funeral. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


325 


Children: 1 

1 Henry H., born 25 Nov., 1814; married 3 Feb., 1840. 

2 George B., born 31 May, 1816. 

3 Mary Ann, born 7 Nov., 1818; married 27 Jan.. 1842, at Mt. Holly, 

John Kelley. 2 

4 Eveline, born 24 Dec., 1820; died 29 April, 1864; living with parents 

at Alt. Holly 1850; married 11 Sept., 1855, at Chester, Vt., Daniel 
Rice of Dover, Vt. 2 

5 Sophia M., born 5 Jan., 1823; married 28 Oct., 1845 at Mt. Holly, 

George H. Burton. 2 

6-6 AIarvel Johnson, born 26 Nov., 1825; married Esther Comstock; 
(2) Sarah M. Eames. 

7 Orvil, born 18 Oct., 1827; died 23 June, 1894; married 10 Oct., 1851, 

Mary E. Spicer, born 9 July, 1831, died 13 Alarch, 1860, daughter 
of Levi C. and Clarissa K. Marvin. 3 He may be that Orville aged 
twenty in 1850, born in Vermont, living at Ira, in family of Amos 
Spring. 3 He bad children not given. 

8 Aldula, born 18 Oct., 1829; died 7 Sept., 1830. 

19471 Asa (Asa, Nathaniel, Stephen, Richard), born 5 April, 
1758, at Shirley, Mass.; died 24 Jan., 1850, at Langdon, N. H.; 4 
married Dorcas Sawtell or Sartwell, born 15 April, 1766, 4 at 
Shirley, died 4 Nov., 1830, at Langdon, daughter of Hezekiali and 
Margaret (Dodge) Sawtell. 3 [There is an intention of marriage 
recorded at Shirley 12 June, 1779, between Asa Holden, Jr., and 
Mary Bolton.] 

Children, born at Hancock, N. H. : 4 

1 Lydia, born 19 Nov., 1785; married Rev. L. Pierce of Alstead, N. H., 

later of Bloomfield, Ill. 

Child: 1 

1. Lydia Pierce, born 26 Jan., 1820. 3 

2 Dorcas, born 6 June, 1787; died in Springfield, Mass.; married 1808, 

Solomon Woodward, born 1784, of Springfield, a blacksmith; died 
in Springfield. 3 
Children : 3 

1. Erastus Woodward, married 3 June, 1835, Sarah Noble Baker, 5 

born 23 Sept., 1811, daughter of Timothy and Ruth (Strong) 
Baker. 

2. Nathaniel Woodward. 

3. Solomon Woodward. 

4. Asa Woodward. 

5. Sarah Woodward, married 28 Feb., 1839, 6 Orrin Baker. 

3 Asa, born 11 Dec., 1788; died 1 June, 1795. 

1 Authority of Burton O. Holden, a grandson, who wrote, in 1917, that his grandfather had nineteen 
children who reached maturity, and three who died in infancy. 

2 Town records. ^ W, Holden 3is . 

4 F A. Holden Ms. All the children except Sarah are recorded at Hancock. Slight variances are found 
between the R W. Holden Ms. and F. A. Holden Ms. as shown by dates and names in parentheses. 

5 Descendants in Strong Genealogy, “2:1498.” 6 R. W. Holden Ms. gives this as death date. 


326 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


4- 4 Aaron Grimes, born 22 Nov., 1790; died 17 (16) Oct., 1874; married 

Lucy White. 

5- 5 Nathaniel, born 28 Oct., 1792; married Frances S. Buell; (2) 

Julia Shipman. 

6 Sarah, born 17 June, 1795 married 2 (7) Oct., 1816, Silas Augier 
of Ackworth, N. H., died 30 Aug., 1866. 

Children, born at Wethersfield, Vt.: 2 

1. Sarah J. Augier, born 15 July, 1817; married Benjamin F. 

Wilson of Troy, N. Y. 

2. Olive Augier, born 12 April, 1819; died 17 March, 1820. 

3. Elmira Augier, born 27 (29) Aug., 1820; married 7 May, 1840, 

George W. Warner. 

4. Silas Augier, born 25 April, 1822; married 15 March, 1848, 

Laura Ann Stanton (Stoughton). 

5. Samuel W. (N), born 23 June, 1824; married 25 Nov., 1847, 

Harriet Decker. 

6. Asa Holden Augier, born 2 May, 1826; married Malinda 

Willey. 

7. Rawson Augier, born 10 May, 1828; married Harriet Cole. 

8. Dorcas Augier, born 17 Aug., 1830; married Albert Hodson. 

9. Mary L. (F.) Augier, born 21 Nov., 1832; died 14 Nov., 1833. 

10. Louisa Augier, born 11 July, 1836; died young. 

11. Calista Augier, born 16 Oct., 1838; married Jerry Hodskins. 

Asa Holden was a member of the company commanded by Captain 
Henry Haskell, Colonel James Prescott’s regiment, which marched 
from Shirley on the Alarm of 19 April, 1775. He returned home on 
23 April, and enlisted in the Continental Army 29 April, 1775, for 
eight months, serving in Captain Robert Longley’s company, Colonel 
Asa Whitcomb’s regiment, at Cambridge and Prospect Hill and in 
the campaign about New Y T ork. From the deposition given below 
of Silvanus Smith, it appears he re-enlisted for one year 1 Jan., 
1776, served his time out, and voluntarily remained in the service 
until March, 1777. This service was in the company commanded 
by Captain Benjamin Perkins, Colonel Little’s regiment, but is not 
recorded with Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. He next enlisted 
15 Aug., 1777, in company commanded by Captain Aaron Jewett, 
Colonel Samuel Bullard’s regiment, and served until 29 Nov., 1777, 
at Saratoga, taking part in the capture of Burgoyne. 3 

Asa Holden settled at Hancock, N. H., probably at the time of 
his marriage. The census of 1790 enumerated him there, head of a 
family of self and three females. He sold land there 1 Oct., 1795, 4 
and removed to Langdon where in 1810 he was head of a family 
consisting of self, two males between sixteen and twenty-six, one 

1 The three youngest children were baptized at Shirley, Aaron and Nathaniel on 26 Feb., 1793, Sally 
Sept., 179.5 {Bolton record). 

2 R. W. Holden Ms. 3 Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls. 

4 Hillsboro Deeds, 47:29. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


327 


female between twenty-six and forty-five, and two between sixteen 
and twenty-six. 

He obtained a pension in 1819, and in 1832 was obliged to make 
a further declaration and file evidence, abstracts of which follow: 

Asa Holden of Langdon, N. H., 20 Jan., 1832, made oath that he 
was aged 74 years the 5 April, 1832, that he enlisted at Cambridge 
in Captain Benjamin Perkins' company, Little’s regiment in 1776, 
and was discharged near Elizabethtown, N. J. He was a farmer, 
but unable to labor by reason of a fall some twenty years hence, 
and had no family, having lost his wife since making former applica¬ 
tion. In 1820 he gave the name of his wife as Dorcas, aged 54 years, 
under the care of a physician for many years. 

Silvanus Smith, late a major in the United States service, deposed 
that on 1 Jan., 1776, he was commissioned as lieutenant in Perkins’ 
company 12th Massachusetts line regiment, Colonel Little, and that 
he enlisted Asa Holden, then of Shirley, 1 and that he served more 
than a year. 

John Kelsey deposed that he was a sergeant in the above company, 
and that Asa Holden marched from Shirley with him and joined his 
company at Cambridge, and after i( we had served out the eight 
months’ service, I marched with him to New York, and know that 
he served one full year. When we had completed our year, the 
Commander-in-Chief addressed us in a manner I can never forget, 
and requested us to remain in the army six w r eeks longer. The said 
Holden and myself, with nearly all the New England forces, did 
upon the request of General Washington, remain six weeks longer.'’ 2 

Asa Holden in support of the pension application of Sawtell 
Holden deposed that he w r as with him at Cambridge in the eight 
months’ service, 1775, and at Saratoga at the capture of Burgoyne 
in 1777, both having enlisted for three months in 1777. He w^as 
then aged 76 years, 14 Jan., 1834. 2 

Aaron G. Holden, of Langdon, 1 Feb., 1832, aged 40 years, son of 
Asa and Dorcas, deceased, deposed that he supported his parents, who 
lived in a small tenement of his, and until so feeble that he took them 
into his own house, where his mother died 4 Nov., 1830, and that 
Asa Holden now lives with him, and has no property of his own. 2 

19472 Phineas (Asa, Nathaniel, Stephen, Richard), born 14 July, 
1760, at Shirley, 3 Mass.; died 25 Nov., 1814, “in 55th year" g.s. at 
Shirley; married 25 Nov., 1790 3 (1789 4 ), Miriam Longley, born 
24 April, 1767, 3 at Shirley; died 13 July, 1811, “in 45th year’’ (g.s.) 
at Shirley, daughter of Jonas and Esther (Patterson) Longley. 

1 James Parker in his diary under date of 15 May, 1775 (1776) notes he enlisted Asa Holden for three 
years. 

2 Pension papers. 3 Shirley records. 

4 F. A. Holden Ms., information from family letters. See also History of Shirley. 


328 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children, born at Shirley: 1 

1 Alma Ellery (Almyelery 1 ), born 26 Jan., 1792; died 15 Aug., 1879; 

married 2 March, 1814, at Shirley, 1 Captain Edward Tyler, born 
10 Nov., 1776, died 26 Dec., 1823. 2 They lived in Harvard, Mass. 
She married (2) 2 May, 1826, Samuel Bacon, who died 23 April, 
1868. 

Children, born at Harvard Mass.: 2 

1. Alma Ellery Tyler, born 5 Jan., 1815; married 20 Sept., 1849, 

Dr. Jacob S. Eaton. 

2. Susan Tyler, born 30 July, 1816; died 7 March, 1839; 3 married 

23 Nov., 1836, Luke Pollard, Jr. 

3. John Havel Tyler, born 30 June, 1818; died 8 Feb., 1844. 

4. James Richards Tyler, born 29 May, 1820; living 1877, unmar¬ 

ried. 

5. Harriet Newell Tyler, twin with James; married 5 March, 1845, 

Dr. Samuel B. Kelley. 

6. Elizabeth Tyler, born 21 June, 1823; married November, 1841, 

Luke Pollard, Jr. 

7. Luoia Harlow Bacon, born 31 Jan., 1827; died 26 Dec., 1850. 

8. Samuel Newton Bacon, born 25 Jan., 1829; married 13 Feb., 

1855, Sarah E. Harlow. 

9. Joseph Austin Bacon, born 4 Nov., 1835; married 25 Jan., 1870, 

Cornelia Chase. 

2 Miriam, born 9 Oct., 1793; died 3 May, 1876, at Ayer, Mass.; married 

12 Jan., 1814, at Shirley, 2 Ellis Harlow, who died 24 July, 1875. 
Children, born at Shirley and Harvard: 2 

1. Phinehas Holden Harlow, born 14 Dec., 1814; died 25 Jan., 

1883; married 17 April, 1838, Nancy Hapgood. Lived at 
Harvard. 

2. Miriam H. Harlow, born 21 Sept., 1816; married 14 May, 1843, 

Christopher Loren Willard. Lived in Ayer, 1882. 

3. William H. Harlow, born 14 July, 1818; married 1 Jan., 1852, 3 

Phebe K. George, who died 2 May, 1855; (2) 24 March, 
1857, Sarah Rogers. 

4. Edward E. Harlow, born 17 Oct., 1820; died 31 May, 1858; 

married 29 April, 1844, Catherine W. Bowker. 

5. Andrew J. Harlow, born 19 April, 1824; married 18 June, 1848, 

Martha Hosmer. 

6. Dorcasina B. Harlow, born 9 April, 1826; died 13 April, 1854; 

married 10 June, 1853, O. R. Whiting. 

3 Henrietta, born 18 July, 1796; died 22 Jan., 1882, at Shirley; 4 

married 19 (intention 1 Oct., at Shirley) Oct., 1820, Deacon John 
Park, of Harvard, who removed to Shirley 1842, and died there 
17 July, 1876. 4 
Children, born at Harvard: 4 

1. William Moody Park, born 8 Nov., 1821; married 23 April, 

1 Shirley records. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms., information from family letters. See also History of Shirley. 

3 R. W. Holden Ms. See History of Shirley. 

4 F. A. Holden Ms. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


329 


1845, 1 Julia Ann Worcester, born 23 April, 1824, daughter 
of Willard and Elvira (Glazier) Worcester. Lived in Shirley. 

2. Mary Ellery Park, born 16 July, 1825; died 23 June, 1858; 

married 30 April, 1844, Frederic Flagg, died 29 Oct., 1870, 
at Mt. Pleasant, S. C. Lived in New Ipswich, N. H. 

3. Elvira Longley Park, born 12 Feb., 1828; married 30 Nov., 1848, 

Ephraim C. Tainter. Lived in Philadelphia and Worcester. 

4. Ann Henrietta Park, born 21 Oct., 1830; died 23 Dec., 1861; 

married 1 June, 1852, James B. Cutler 

5. John Calvin Park, born 28 May, 1833; died 9 Feb., 1854, s.p. 

6. Frances Maria Park, born 2 Sept., 1836; married 8 Dec., 1859, 

Samuel F. Bond, who died 27 Jan., 1873. Lived in Worcester. 

4- 4 Abel Longley, born 21 Dec., 1800; died 26 June, 1872; married 

Olive Davis. 

5- 5 Jonas, born 4 Oct., 1802; married Eliza Holden. 


19473 Nathaniel (Asa, Nathaniel, Stephen, Richard), bom 
9 July, 1762, at Shirley, Mass.; died 30 Nov., 1842 at Groton “aged 
80, esquire” (g.s.); married 27 March, 1794, 2 at Shirley, Mass., 
Betsey Atherton , 3 born 27 Oct., 1762, died 21 Jan., 1829, at Shirley, 
aged 66 (g.s.), daughter of Amos and Lydia (Gould) Atherton. He 
married, second, 11 Oct., 1831, at Groton, Mass., 2 Mrs. Elizabeth 
(Hunt) Tuttle, widow of Lieutenant Simon Tuttle, Jr., of Acton, 
Mass. She died 3 April, 1846. 4 

Children, born at Shirley: 2 

1 Daughter, born and died 27 April, 1794 (g.s.). 

2 Calvin, born 19 July, 1795; died 30 Aug., 1796. 2 

3 Betsey, bo;n 29 Jan., 1797, baptized 24 Oct., 1799; died 2 April, 1864, 

at Shirley; married 13 July, 1812, at Shirley, 2 Daniel Dodge, 

born 8 Feb., 1793, at Groton, died 19 Aug., 1829, at Shirley. 

Children, born at Shirley: 2 

1. Harriet Elizabeth Dodge, born 14 Oct., 1812; married 12 Oct., 

1857, James Holden (19476-7) of Marietta, Ohio. 

2. Sarah Jane Dodge, born 28 Oct., 1816; died 9 Sept., 1831. 

3. Augusta Louisa Dodge, born 3 April, 1822; married 24 June, 

1847, Robert Somerby. 

4. Fiances Eliza Dodge, born 1 Aug., 1828; died 15 Jan., 1829. 
4-4 Nathaniel, born 21 Jan., 1800; died 1 Oct., 1874; married Rhoda M. 

Longley; (2) Catherine Livermore. 

5 Lydia, born 9 May, 1802; died 27 April, 1831; married (intention 

18 Jan., 1825, at Shirley), Simon Tuttle, of Acton, Mass., born 

7 Feb., 1793, at Acton, son o Lieutenant Simon and Elizabeth 

(Hunt) Tuttle. Lydia Holden was Simon Tuttle’s third wife. 

1 R. W. Holden Ms., probably from printed sources. 2 Shirley Vital Records. 

3 Records of the First Church, Charlestown, N. H. Admission to full communion, “ 1794, Aug., 10: 
Nathaniel Holden and wife Elizabeth Atherton Holden, members of ye church at Pepperell, dismissed 
and recommended by said church July 31, 1794. ” 

4 Hunt Genealogy, p. 112. She was mother of Simon Tuttle who married Lydia Holden (19473-5). 


330 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children: 

1. Joseph Holden Tuttle, born 27 Nov., 1825; died about 1863, at 

Wallingford, Vt.; married Mary Ann Stafford. 

2. Eliza Jane Tuttle, born 1828; died 28 Sept. 1850; married 

Major Dexter F. Parker, who died during the Civil War. 

6 Eliza, born 27 April, 1804; married 14 Dec., 1831, Captain Jonas 
Holden, q.v. 

7-7 Asa Wait, born 22 April, 1806; died 15 Jan., 1879; married Lucy 
R. Carlton. 

Nathaniel Holden was known as Esquire Holden. 

“Perhaps no man among the residents of Shirley, during the first 
century of its existence, ever exerted a wiser and wider influence 
than Mr. Holden, both in public and domestic life. His public popu¬ 
larity was not the gift of a day, nor the effulgence of an hour, but he 
was a lasting favorite of the public because he proved himself worthy 
of their favor. His ability to help and guide in the deliberations and 
operations of his fellow citizens, w T as amply sustained by the fact that 
he was so frequently and so long called into their service. He was a 
Justice of the Peace during a long period. He was a selectman for 
nineteen years. He was five times elected to represent the town in 
the state legislature, and that too at a period when to send a repre¬ 
sentative to the state court was a strange work for a small town; and 
he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1821. 

“He also maintained a sacred regard for the institutions of religion; 
was a professor of religion, and received an official appointment in 
the church, which he did not formally accept, though he discharged 
the duties belonging to it while he lived. The failure of the present 
generation to fulfil the example of their fathers, in church observance, 
is a loss which will eventually be seriously deplored.” (Chandler’s 
History of Shirley, 473.) He purchased 100 acres in Hancock, N. H., 
7 Feb., 1795, bounding on the land of his brother Asa. 

19474 Edmund {Asa, Nathaniel , Stephen, Richard), born 9 Nov., 
1765, at Shirley, Mass.; died 7 Aug., 1827, at Langdon, N. H.; married 
16 Feb., 1796, at Groton, 1 Sukey (Susanna) Rockwood of Groton, 
Mass., born 27 Sept., 1771, at Groton, died 30 July, 1855, at Charles¬ 
town, N. LI., daughter of Joseph and Sukey (Rockwood) Rockwood. 
Edmund Holden was a farmer, and was in the Revolutionary War. 

Children, born at Langdon, N. II.: 2 

1 Amanda, born 21 Aug., 1797; died 16 Oct., 1862, at Charlestown, N. H.; 
married 30 March, 1825, Deacon Moses Putnam, of Charlestown, 3 

1 Church records. He is called of Langdon. 

2 IIistory of Shirley, 375, 378. Langdon records. 

3 “Deacon Moses Putnam was first selectman for the years 1833, 1834 and 1836, and for many years 
held the office of ‘Deacon’ in the Evangelical Congregational Church, the ordinances of which he was 
always ready to support to the extent of his ability.’’ See History of Charlestown, N. H., pp. 531, 532. 
Deacon Moses Putnam married (2) 18 April, 1867, Mrs. Esther L. Twitchell. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


331 


born 12 Oct., 1796, died 9 Feb., 1872, son of Timothy and Sarah 
(Hewett) Putnam. 

Children, born at Charlestown: 

1. Edmund Holden Putnam, born 19 Nov., 1825; died 27 Dec., 1825. 

2. Edmund Holden Putnam, born 29 Aug., 1827; married 22 Feb., 

1823, Elizabeth H. Tutherly, born 22 April, 1829. 

3. Malvina A. Putnam, born 20 July, 1829; married 27 April, 1858, 

Horace A. Corbin, born 16 April, 1829, son of Ezbond Corbin. 
Lived in Union City, Mich. 

4. Janette A. Putnam, born 2 Aug., 1832; married 11 Oct., 1862, 

Otis W. Burton. Lived in Union City. 

5. Harriet R. Putnam, born 8 June, 1838; died 22 Jan., 1860; 

unmarried. 

2 Sukey (Susa), born 13 April, 1799; died 16 Aug., 1851, at Alstead, 
N. H.; married 25 Dec., 1823, Ingalls Iv. Dinsmore of Alstead, 

N. H. 

Children, born at Alstead: 

1. Flarriet Dinsmore, born 17 Aug., 1825; died 31 May, 1872; 

married 20 Jan., 1853, Henry C. Harrington. 

2. Susan Rockwood Dinsmore, born 22 (27) 1827; married 31 Oct., 

1855, James F. Putnam, born 25 May, 1819, died 9 Feb., 
1872, son of Samuel and Eliza (Southard) Putnam. 

3. Catharine W. (A.) Dinsmore, born 12 Aug., 1829; married 

William L. Cheever of Alstead. 

4. Edmund Holden Dinsmore, born 25 April, 1831; died 8 Jan., 

1832. 

5. Sumner H. Dinsmore, born 24 Nov., 1832; died 28 July, 1833. 

6. Helen M. Dinsmore, born 24 May, 1834; died 13 July, 1866; 

married 11 Feb., 1863, Orr Wallace. See 19474.4-5. 

7. Martha S. Dinsmore, born 31 Aug., 1838; married 8 June, 1860, 

Nehemiah S. Harrington, of Alstead; (2) 22 Sept., 1863, 
Henry A. Fairbanks, of Springfield, Mass. 

8. Alma Dinsmore, born 27 March, 1842; married 1 Nov., 1862, 

Henry F. Chandler of Alstead. 

9. Emma Dinsmore, born (6) 16 Nov., 1844; married 16 Dec., 1869, 

Henry M. Holden (19474-44) of Langdon. 

3- 3 Edmund, born 28 March, 1802; died 1 May, 1882; married Anna S. 

Poland. 

4- 4 Asa, born 30 March, 1804; died 12 Dec., 1885; married Mary A. 

Evans. 

5- 5 Joseph Rockwood, born 11 Aug., 1809; died 16 Sept., 1895; married 

Julia A. Howard. 

6 Sophronia Currier, born 26 June, 1813; died 23 March, 1891-, 1 
married, 1842, Jedediah Rice of Waukesha, Wis.; (2) Ezra S. 
Purple of Waukesha. 

19475 Levi (Asa, Nathaniel , Stephen , Richard ), born 25 Dec., 
1767, at Shirley, Mass.; died 5 Dec., 1866, at Hawley, Mass.; married 


i R. W. Holden Ms. 


332 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


16 Sept., 1792 at Langdon, N. H., 1 Lydia Wardner, born on the 
voyage from Germany to America, died 9 April, 1799. He married 
second, 1800, Mary Longley, born 2 March, 1773, died 19 Dec., 1839, 
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Thayer) Longley of Hawley. 
Levi Holden lived at Langdon until 1807, when he bought a farm in 
Hawley of Joseph Longley and removed thither, 2 where he lived the 
remainder of his life. 

“He was noted for his steady habits, his courteous bearing, his 
even temperament, and the placidity of his entire life. He enjoyed a 
green old age. He lived to see ninety-nine years. He made a pro¬ 
fession of religion when he was ninety years of age. ” 3 

Children, eight eldest born at Langdon, the remainder at Hawley: 

1 Levi, born 17 Feb., 1793; died 1 March, 1795. 

2 Royal, born 23 May, 1794; died 6 Dec., 1831, at Dover, Ohio; married 

1818, Susan Smith of Hawley. Removed to Dover. Childrens 

3 Jonas, born 1 Sept., 1796; died 10 Sept., 1797. 

4-4 Ira, born 7 Dec., 1797; married Olive Longley. 

5 Levi, born 1 April, 1799; died 5 Sept., 1800. 

By second marriage: 



6-6 Joseph, born 14 Dec., 1801; married Electa Witherell. 

7 Lydia, born 16 Feb., 1804, at Langdon, N. H.; married 2 June, 1825, 
George Howes of Ashfield; lived at Oak Creek, Wis. 

Children: 


1. Levi Howes. 

2. Mary Howes. 

3. Martha Howes. 

4. Eliza Howe . 

5. George Howes. 

6. Willis Howes. 

7. Naomi Howes. 

8. Lydia Ann Howes. 

8 Elizabeth, born 6 Aug., 1805; died 7 Oct., 1835; married Aug., 1825, 
Lewis Cobb of Ashfield, who died Dec., 1867, s.p. 

9-9 Levi, born 2 June, 1807; died 1886; married Annis Joy, (2) Mrs. 
Lucy S. Bennett. 

10 Mary, born 10 June, 1809; died 29 Aug., 1866. 

11 Dorothy, born 28 >une, 1811; married 29 July, 1832, Otis Whitman, 

of South Adams, Mass. 

Children, born Adams, Mass.: 

1. Esther Ann Whitman, born 23 Sept., 1834; married 31 Dec., 

1853, Asa S. Harrington, of South Adams. 

2. Edwin O. Whitman, born 22 Aug., 1836; married Aug., 1854, 

Adeline Burlingame of South Adams; lived in Poughkeepsie, 
N. Y. 

3. Levi Whitman, born 24 July, 1838; died 6 Nov., 1838. 


1 N. H. Vital Statistics. 


2 Berkshire Deeds, 23:446. 


3 History of Shirley, 479. 




FIFTH GENERATION 


333 


4. John J. Whitman, horn 6 Oct., 1840; married 1 June, 1864, 

Sarah \ermelyca of New York; lived in Adams. 

5. Levi Holden Whitman, born 12 Sept., 1843; married 1 Sept., 

1861, Amelia Hall. 

6. Mary E. Whitman, born 11 Sept., 1845; died Dec., 1845. 

12 Olive, born 24 Oct., 1812. Lived at Mt. Lebanon, N. Y. 

13 Lucy, born 30 July, 1814; married Harvey Rus-ell of North Hadley, 

Mass., who died 21 Feb., 1872. 

N-14 Jonas, born 30 May, 1816; married Caroline Joy, (2) Thera S. 
King. 

19476 Joseph (Asa, Nathaniel, Stephen, Richard), born 5 Dec., 
1769, at Shirley, Mass.; died 14 Nov., 1863, at Marietta, Ohio; 
married 8 July, 1807, at Marietta, Eliza Han away, of Maryland, 
born 9 Aug., 1781, died 16 Jan., 1846. 1 Joseph Holden was one of 
the first settlers of the town of Marietta, Ohio. At the seventy-eighth 
anniversary of its settlement, 7 April, 1866, his portrait was exhibited. 1 
Children, born at Marietta: 1 

1 — 1 William, born 18 March, 1809; died 25 Dec., 1847; married Mary W. 
Dodge; (2) Isabella Greene. 

2 Eliza, born 7 June, 1810; died 7 Oct., 1831. 

3 Jane, born 12 Nov., 1811; died 5 March, 1813. 

4 Maria, born 24 Dec., 1812; died 3 May, 1868; married 24 Dec., 1835, 

at Marietta, Hugh Trevor of Loughbrickland, Ireland. 

Children: 

1. Joseph Holden Trevor, born 4 March, 1837; died 5 May, 1838. 

2. Helen Mariette Trevor, born 26 Nov., 1838; died 21 Feb., 1853. 

3. Eliza Holden Trevor, born 8 March, 1841. 

4. Rose Savage Trevor, born 1 Jan., 1843. 

5. Andrew Marcus Trevor, born 21 Oct., 1844. 

6. Edward D’Arcey, born 21 Nov., 1846. 

5 Julia, born 20 Dec., 1813; married 5 March, 1839, at Marietta, Rufus 

Erastus Harte of Middlebury, Ohio. 

Children: 

1. Gregory Powers Harte, born 1 March, 1840, at Marietta. 

2. Joseph Holden Harte, born 10 Sept., 1841; died 24 Dec., 1842. 

3. William James Harte, born 2 March, 1843. 

4. Anna Eliza Harte, born 28 Nov., 1844; died 28 Nov., 1845. 

5. Maria Trevor Harte, born 30 Sept., 1849. 

6. Julia Holden Harte, born 18 June, 1855; died 1864. 

6-6 Joseph, born 20 June, 1815; died 8 July, 1863; married Mary A. Dare. 

7 James, born 20 Jan., 1817; married 17 April, 1843, Harriet Potter 

Rogers, of New London, Conn., died 25 Nov., 1855; (2) 12 Oct., 
1857, Harriet Elizabeth Dodge (19473-31), born 14 Oct., 1812, 
at Shirley, Mass., daughter of Daniel and Betsy (Holden) Dodge. 

8 Miriam, born 28 March, 1819; died 28 Sept., 1820. 

9 Harriet Rhoda Hall, born 23 Sept., 1820; died 20 Oct., 1887; 2 


1 F. A. Holden Ms. See also History of Shirley , Mass. 


2 R. W. Holden Ms. 


334 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


married 29 May, 1840, at Marietta, Ohio, William Wallace 
Dodge, born 25 Oct., 1816, at Marietta, died 27 June 1858, at St. 
Louis, Mo., son of Oliver Dodge. She resides in St. Louis. 
Children: 

1. Oliver Holden Dodge, born 23 Jan., 1842. 

2. Mary Eliza Dodge, born 26 Aug., 1847; died young. 

3. William Holden Dodge, born 25 Sept., 1850. 

4. Fanny Holden Dodge, born 15 May, 1852. 

5. Ella Dean Dodge, born 26 Nov., 1854. 

6. Julia Trevor Dodge, born 25 Oct., 1856. 

10 Nathaniel, born 27 May, 1824; died 29 Oct., 1824. 

19484 SaxWUEl 1 ( Jabez , Nathaniel , Stephen , Richard ), born 11 (17) 
June, 1772, at Groton, Mass.; died 19 March, 1858, at Moose River or 
Anson, Me.; married 11 Aug. (1 Oct.), 1797, Jane Farnsworth, 
his first cousin, born 7 Dec., 1776, died 15 April, 1813, daughter of 
Jonas and Jane (Delap) Farnsworth. 2 
Children: 

1 Almira, born 31 Dec., 1798, at Groton; died 21 May, 1865; married 
Ambrose Colby, and lived at Embden, Me. 

Children, born at Embden: 

1. Jane Holden Colby, born 11 Sept., 1823; married Walter 

Walsh. 

2. Philander Moore Colby, born 22 May, 1825; married Mary 

Ann Holden (19484.2-3). 

3. Almira Ann Colby, born 25 March, 1828. 

4. Jonas Holden Colby, born 5 May, 1833; married Clarissa 

Churchill, 3 daughter of Asa and Mary (Holden) Churchill. 
Children: 1. Emily A. Colby, born 19 June, 1856; married 
Robert Kew. 2. Elmer E. Colby, born 13 June, 1859; mar¬ 
ried Miriam Holden (19484.9-6). 3. Viola M. Colby, born 
20 Sept., 1861; married Orin Sawyer. 4. George B. Colby, 
born 24 March, 1864; married 3 July, 1892, Angie Adams. 
5. Calvin H. Colby, born 26 July, 1868; married Ora Bur- 
wood. 

5. Spencer Colby, born 12 April, 1835; married Josephine 

Churchill. 3 

6. Helon Hilton Colby, born 19 Aug., 1837; married Nancy Ray. 
2-2 Melintus, born 24 Jan., 1800; died 7 May, 1877; married Joanna 

Keliher. 

3 Jane, born 29 March, 1802, at Norridgewock; died 16 Feb., 1842; 
married 1831, James Felker, born 1805, at Embden, Me., son of 
Michael and Betsey (Munson) Felker. They lived at Solon, Me. 
Children : 4 

1. Augustus Felker, born 1832; married Eleanor E. Copland. 

1 £ he f ecor d of this family was obtained in 1877, from Otis Holden, the youngest child. 

2 family record. 

3 Sisters, cousins of their husbands. 

4 None of this family were living in 1877. (Letters of Otis Holden.) 


FIFTH GENERATION 


335 


2. Ansel Felker, born 1834; married Mrs. E. E. (Copland) 

Felker, his sister-in-law. 

3. Ellen Felker, born 1836. 

4. George W. Felker, born 1838. 

5. Samuel Holden Felker, born 1842. 

4 Samuel, born 29 Jan., 1804; died aged 19 years, at Anson (“died in 

third year”). 1 

5 Jonas Farnsworth, born 14 April, 1806, at Norridgewock. He was 

in business in Canada. He disappeared prior to July, 1838 2 , after 
visiting Quebec to collect money due him. He was unmarried 
at this time. His brother Otis thought he was murdered; married 
Alice Bradshaw. 1 

6 Sarah, born 30 April, 1808; died 28 April, 1852; married at Moose 

River, John Moore. 

Children: 

1. Seth Moore, born 29 Aug., 1827; married Lydia J. Newton. 

2. Otis Moore, born 20 Sept., 1829; died. 

3. Mary Moore, born 15 March, 1833; married Joseph Whitney. 

4. Jane Moore, born 16 July, 1835; married Moses Thompson. 

5. Ellen Moore, born 23 Nov., 1837 ; married Lincoln Baker. 

6. John Moore, born 6 June, 1839; married Mary Ann Moore. 

7. Almira Moore, born 4 Sept., 1843; married Thomas Brown. 

8. Aaron Moore, born 9 July, 1845; married Samandy Messer. 

9. Amelia Ann, born 31 Oct., 1847; married Amon Baker. 

10. Caroline Moore, born 13 Dec., 1849; died. 

11. Abel Moore, born 1 Oct., 1851; married Izanah Baker. 

7 Lorinda, born 8 Sept., 1811, at Norridgewock; died 6 March, 1897; 1 

married Galen Newton, born in Dixfield, Me. They lived at 
Moose River. Mrs. Newton was living 1877, a widow, at Moose 
River. She married (2) William Ray. 1 
Children: 

1. Lovina Newton, born 5 April, 1832; married Patrick 

McKinney. 

2. Lydia J. Newton, born 18 Feb., 1834; married Seth Moore. 

3. Otis Newton, born 13 April, 1836; married Ellen Foss. 

4. Philander Newton, born 11 June, 1839; married Mary E. 

Williams. 

5. Amon Newton, born 12 Feb., 1842; married Elvira Holden. 

6. Isaac Newton, born 19 March, 1844; married Roseeta 

Niccols. 

7. Joseph Newton, born 9 May, 1846. 

8. Cyrus Newton, born 29 May, 1849. 

9. Rosannah, born 19 Aug., 1853. 

10. Orilla Newdon, born 20 Dec., 1856. 

8 Mary, born 29 Jan., 1813; died 1878, at Danton, 1 Mich.; married Asa 

Churchill, son of Daniel Churchill of Moose River; (2) John 
Doyle. 1 


1 Family record. 


2 Family letters. 


336 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children: 

1. Josephine Churchill, born 18 March, 1832; married Spencer 

Colby. 

2. Clarissa Churchill, born 28 March, 1834; married Jonas Holden 

Colby, her cousin. See p. 334 

3. John Churchill, born 6 June, 1836. 

4. Harriet Churchill, born 10 Oct., 1838; died. 

5. Harrison Churchill, born 2 May, 1840. 

6. Horatio Churchill, born 1 April, 1842; married Melinda 

Keliher. 

7. Hartwell Churchill, born 2 Feb., 1844; married Lydia Pratt. 

8. Asa Churchill, born 3 June, 1846; died. 

9-9 Samuel, born 13 April, 1815; died 15 Nov., 1884; 1 married Annis 

Hughey. 

10 Lovina, born 15 March, 1817; died aged nineteen months. 

K-ll James Delap Otis, born 21 March, 1819, at Anson; died 7 March 

1892; married, 16 Feb., 1842, Ella (Eliza J. 1 ) Hughes; (2) 21 

Dec. 1848, Margaret Ray; (3) 6 Sept., 1864, Hannah Ray of 

Solon, Me. 

“Captain Holden and his wife went to Moose River in the cold of 
winter to settle in an unbroken wilderness, in an uninhabited country. 
With a nerve that can only be found in such noble men and women 
as Captain Holden and wife, about the middle of March, 1820, they 
left “Old Norridgewock'’ to go to a land not inhabited. In fact there 
were but few settlers north of Norridgewock at that time and no road 
north of Caratunk or “The Great Carrying Place,” where Arnold 
left the Kennebec River and carried across to Dead River a distance 
of about fifteen miles on his memorous march to the great city of 
Quebec. 

“From Caratunk to Moose River a distance of about forty miles 
there was no road through a pathless and dense forest and the way 
was traced by spotted trees and at that season of the year, this part 
of the journey had to be made on snowshoes. 

“This was quite a bridal tour for the newly married couple, and they 
advertised in the ‘ Carraunk Journal ’ that they would be at home at 
Moose River after they got their cabin built. Airs. Holden the next 
year, planted a garden in the little clearing that her husband had made 
the previous year around their nice, warm and pleasant log cabin, for 
Airs. Holden was a bride that knew how to make home happy. Airs. 
Holden was a gifted woman with wit and telling stories in a funny 
manner to cheer up a lonely hour.” — Judge S. II. Whitney , in the 
“Reporter ” March , 1920. 

Samuel Holden was of Norridgewoclk, Ale., in 1800. He had the 
title of “Captain.” In 1877, a mail stage reached the settlement 
thrice a week, and along the road for twenty miles were two hundred 

1 Family record. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


337 


inhabitants. The house erected in 1829 is still standing. Later he 
lived at Anson, Me. 

The following letters 1 from Samuel and Jane Holden illustrate the 
difficulties met with by settlers in the early part of the last century: 


Dear Sister and Brother: Moose River ’ June 5 > 1820 

I take this opportunity to write to you to let you know of our 
health which is very good at present, through Almighty goodness, 
and while he is lifting up with one hand he is pulling down with the 
other. We moved to Moose River last March, fifty-three miles from 
any inhabitant, and lived very comfortably till the first day of May, 
when our house took fire and was consumed with all its contents and 
left us destitute of provisions or anything else. I lost all my bedding 
and am obliged to lie on the ground in a very poor camp. Now if 
you have any feeling of charity for a destitute sister, I wish you to 
send me something, you and the rest of my aunts and cousins. If 
they feel spirited, please to send me some salt if nothing else. Send 
it to John Evelith of Augusta to send me a letter directed to Moose 
River, to be left at Anson post office. The fire burnt up ten acres of 
wdnter rye. Our loss is about one thousand dollars. I have worked 
out doors thirty-six days, not having any thing to do. This from 
your distressed sister and brother, Samuel and Jane Holden. 

To Amos Otis, 2 Barnstable, Mass. The postage, 18% cents. 


^ ,/ 7 0 . , Moose River, Dec. 20, 1825. 

Dear Brother and bisters: 

It is with the greatest satisfaction I now sit down to write to you 
to inform you of our health which is very good. I have no news to 
write; we have had a very dry season, the winter is mild there is 
no snow. I have had eleven children, two is dead. The old lady 3 is 
yet alive and lives with us. Almira and Melintus are married. 
Almira has two children, Melintus one. Jane is teaching school. We 
have moved to Moose River on the Canada road that leads from 
Boston to Quebeck. I wish to hear from you as I have not heard 
from you this six or seven years. I heard from Greenville. I saw a 
man that came from there last April. He saw Uncle James Delap’s 4 
people, my cousin James Delap is doing very well. We live twenty- 
seven miles from any neighbors, fourteen miles from the Canada line. 

Dear friends, I want to see you all. I have expected to see James 
here before now. I wish you to send me a letter as soon as you receive 
this. This from your brother and sister, 

Samuel and Jane Holden. 


1 From the Independent Reporter, vol. 81. (1920?). 

2 Amos Otis, born 1768, married Nancy Farnsworth, and (2) Sally Farnsworth. 

3 Mrs. Rachel, widow of Captain Jabez Holden. 

4 James Delap, brother to mother of Mrs. Jane Holden. According to famdy tradition his father, James, 
came from England, 1729, and settled at Barnstable. 


338 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Honored Mother: 

I now take my pen in hand to inform you of my health which is 
good, through Divine goodness which is the greatest blessing we 
can enjoy. I long to see you if alive but the distance of the way 
prevents. This from your children, with due respect, 

Samuel and Jane Holden. 

The children send their love to their unknown grandmother. Give 
our respects to Uncle Amos Farnsworth’s 1 family. 

To Thomas Farnsworth, Groton, Mass. 

Moose River, March 29, 1829. 

Dear Brother and Sister: 

I take my pen in hand to inform you of our health which is very 
good through the Divine goodness of God, and as these lines leave us 
we hope they will find you, although we live far distance in the 
woods, forty miles from neighbors. We have a good road that leads 
from Boston to Quebeck; there is about one hundred men agoing to 
work on the road this summer. It has been very severe, the snow is 
five feet deep. Your grandmother died the twenty-sixth of January, 
aged ninety-one years. 2 Melintus and Almira is married. Melintus 
has had four children, one is dead. Almira has had six, two is dead. 
Although we live in the woods we have a great deal of company. 
We have not had a letter from you these eight or ten years; we live 
in comfortable circumstances. I heard of the death of my mother 
transiently. The children send their respects to you all. Please to 
send me a letter, send it to Moose River on the Canada road. We 
have a plenty of moose meat at this season of the year. This from 
your brother and sister, 

Samuel and Jane Holden. 


Dear Uncle and Aunt: 

Our respects to you. We are all in good health. I would inform you 
of the death of your sister. She died the twenty-sixth of January, 
she died sitting in her chair. This from your friends, 

Samuel and Jane Holden. 

I forgot to tell you that Sally was married and has one child. 
N. B. To be left in Bingham post office. 

Addressed to Thomas Farnsworth, Groton, Massachusetts. 
(Postage 18% cents.) 

19485 Benjamin {Jabez, Nathaniel , Stephen , Richard ), born 
8 June, 1775, at Groton, Mass.; died about 1845 but prior to April 13 

1 Major Amos Farnsworth, who lived between Page’s Bridge and Groton School. 

2 Mrs. Rachel, widow of Captain Jabez Holden. 



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Sampler Worked by Ellen Holden (Unidentified) 
In possession of Mrs. Roberta (Holden) Bole 

























FIFTH GENERATION 339 

of that year at Harford, N. Y.; 1 married 29 Nov., 1797, Emma 
Farwell of Boston. 2 

He removed to Cortland County, N. Y., before 1819, having pre¬ 
viously lived in Oneida County, N. Y., whither he removed from 
Norridgewock, Me. 2 He does not appear in the 1810 Census of New 
York. 

His sister, Mrs. Rachel Burgess, who lived in Harford, N. Y., 
wrote her brother, Samuel Holden in 1840, that their brother 
Benjamin had twelve children, and that she saw him frequently, 
and 13 April, 1845, she wrote that sister Holden had living with 
her her son Benjamin. 3 

Children 4 (all but Sally were married prior to Nov., 1840; probably 
one of the daughters had married Joseph Hackett 3 ): 

1 Matilda. 

2-2 Walter, born 10 Nov., 1803 at Norridgewock; died 4 June, 1883; 
married Relief Tanner. 

3 Rachel. 

4 Emma. 

5 Lucy. 

6 Benjamin, living April, 1845, at Harford. 

7 Hiram. 

8 Betsey. 

9 Pamelia. 

10 Oscar. 

11 John 

12 Sally, a school child in Nov., 1841. 

19624 Nathaniel ( William , William , Stephen , Richard ), born 
15 Aug., 1753, 4 at Groton, Mass.; died 21 July, 1841, 4 at Barre, Vt.; 
married 11 June, 1778, at Charlestown, N. H., 5 Lettice Grout, born 
3 May, 1763, at Lunenburg, Mass., died 7 Nov., 1812, at Chester, 
Vt., daughter of Elijah and Mary (Willard) Grout. 6 He married 
second, 25 Aug., 1814, 7 at Springfield, Hannah Parker, born 1783, 
who in 1853 was living at West Newbury, 6 Mass., aged seventy years. 7 

Children, three eldest born at Charlestown, N. H., others at 
Springfield, Vt. : 6 

1-1 Josiaii , born 6 Sept., 1778; died 1 Sept., 1831; married Betsey 
Leland. 

2 Patty, born 17 Jan., 1780; died 26 May, 1783. 8 

3 Xerxes, born 26 April, 1781; died young. He and his sister Patty 

lost their lives in a burning barn. 

1 Information of Mrs. Samuel N. Holden, March, 1912. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms., who had the aid of James O. D. Holden about 1877 in obtaining information regard¬ 
ing this group of families. 

3 Letter of Mrs. Burgess, Nov. 20,1841, to Samuel Holden 19484. Several family letters are in possession 
of Mrs. Lucinda Campbell. 

4 Statement of Elijah Holden, a son, 1867, and James Henry Holden, a grandson, October, 1876. 

5 Town records. 6 F. A. Holden Ms. See also History of Charlestown, N. H. 

1 Pension papers. 3 R. W. Holden Ms., perhaps from History of Waitsfield, Vt. 


340 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


4 — 4 Zophar, born 26 March, 1783; died 19 May, 1853; married Jerusha 

Harris. 

5 Betsey, born 8 Oct., 1784; died 27 Oct., 1827; married Whitford 

Gill. Descendants were living about 1876 in Henderson, N. Y. 1 

Children: 

1. Daniel R. Gill. 

2. John O. Gill. 

3. William Gill. 

6 Polly, born 8 July, 1786; died 7 June, 1794. 

7-7 Elijah, born 3 July, 1788; died 31 Aug., 1876; married Orpha Steele. 

8 James, born 27 June, 1790; died 4 Feb., 1812, s.p. 

9 Sophia, born 11 Aug., 1792; died s.p.; married Samuel Steele. 

10 Catherine, born 5 Dec., 1794; died 18 Aug , 1832; 2 married Jeduthan 

Haskins. 

Children: 

1. Augustus Haskins. 

2. Mary Haskins. 

3. Curtis Haskins. 

4. Lucy Haskins. 

11 Matilda, born 9 Dec., 1796; married Theophilus Cushman, born 

20 March, 1796, died 1852, s.p., son of Clark and Katherine (Grout) 

Cushman; a merchant at Hardwick, Vt. 

12 Mary, born 13 Oct., 1803; died 5 May, 1841, 2 unmarried. 

Nathaniel Holden served in the army during the Revolution, from 
Charlestown, N. H. Fie removed to Springfield, and was on the roll 
of freemen there 11 March, 1794. He died at the house of his son, 
Elijah at Barre, 3 whither in 1836 he had recently removed, and was 
at that time almost blind. 4 

Nathaniel Holden, a resident of Springfield, Vt., 18 Sept., 1832, 
aged seventy-nine years, made the following declaration: 4 

In January, 1776, he thinks about the twentieth, then living in 
Charlestown, N. IL, he enlisted into Captain Samuel Wetherbee’s 
company, Jotham White, lieutenant, to go to Canada for four 
months; the company marched immediately to Quebeck, where 
they were stationed until 6 May, 1776, when said company and 
he thinks the regiment, commanded by Colonel Warner, was ordered 
South; they marched as far as St. Johns, where they stopped a few 
days. Your applicant thinks they left the regiment at St. Johns, 
and returned home to Charlestown about the last of May or first 
of June. 

Levi Putnam now living in Charlestown, served with him and his 
affidavit to the above service is hereto attached, which is the only 
one now living within your deponent’s knowledge, who did serve 
with him. 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. See also History of Charlestown N. H. 

2 R. W. Holden Ms., perhaps from History of Waitsfield, Vt. 

3 Statement of Elijah Holden, a son, 1867, and James Henry Holden, a grandson, October, 1876. 

4 Pension papers. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


341 


He further stated that the last of June or forepart of July, 1776, 
he served as a substitute for Elijah Grout for five months in Captain 
Samuel Wetherbee’s company. He thinks John Kilburn and Davis 
Howlett were lieutenants, and Lemuel Hubbard, ensign; said regi¬ 
ment was commanded by Colonel Wyman, then of Keene, N. H. 
He was marched to Ticonderoga, N. Y., and was stationed there 
and at Mt. Independence during the whole time of his service. He 
thinks sometime in October, being unwell, he left a few days before 
his time was out. Lemuel Hubbard who served with him is the only 
evidence he has of this last service, whose affidavit is hereto attached. 

He further stated that the last of June or forepart of July, 1777, 
he again enlisted into Captain Abel Walker’s company and Colonel 
Benjamin Bellow’s regiment, and immediately marched to Ticon¬ 
deroga where he was stationed until the British took the place; soon 
after the company was dismissed and returned home. The only 
person living within his recollection is Nathan Allen, who served 
with him, and his affidavit is hereto attached. 

He further stated: he was born in Groton, Mass., Aug 15, 1753. 
He lived in Charlestown, N. H., when he was called into service, 
three miles from where he now lives in Springfield, Vt., and has ever 
since he left Charlestown in 1785, according to his best recollection. 
He thinks General Arnold commanded at Quebeck; General Gates at 
Ticonderoga. He has no written discharge, and does not recollect 
of ever having any. 

The following receipts are printed in the history of Charlestown: 

“Nathaniel Holden was one of 20 men, May 25, 1778, at Charles¬ 
town, N. H., who signed a paper saying, ‘this is to certify that we 
have received eight shillings for going to Ticonderoga.’” 

“Nathaniel Holden and 8 other men, Feb. 10, 1780, at Charles¬ 
town, N. H., signed the following, ‘received of Captain Abel Walker, 
each of us, one firearm and one pound of lead.’” 

19627 William {William, William , Stephen , Richard ), born 
29 Oct., 1764, at Charlestown, N. H.; died 3 March, 1813, at Middle¬ 
sex, Vt.; married 30 Dec., 1790, at Springfield, Vt., Hannah Parker, 
born 15 March, 1752, at Dartmouth, Mass., died 12 June, 1834, at 
Middlesex, daughter of Jeremiah 1 and Lucretia Parker. 

Children, born at Middlesex, except the eldest: 

1-1 Horace, born 13 July, 1791, at Springfield; 2 died 31 July, 1865; 
married Mercy Chamberlain; (2) Betsey Holmes. 

2 Parker, born 17 Feb., 1793; 2 died 8 March, 1793. 2 
3-3 William Xerxes (Xerxes W.~), born 17 March, 1794; died 2 June, 
1862; married Eliza McElroy. 

1 Jeremiah Parker, a Quaker, lived to be nearly a hundred years of age. (F. A. Holden Ms., whence 
this family record was taken.) 

2 Middlesex, Vermont, records. 


342 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


4 Jane, born 22 May, 1796; died young. 

5 Caty, born 12 March, 1798; died prior to 1877; married 6 March 

1817, at Middlesex, Joseph Chapin, Jr., 1 who was not living in 

1877. 2 

Children: 

1. William Chapin, living 1877. 

Three daughters, living 1877. 

6-6 Moses, born 14 July, 1799; died May, 1878; married Hannah M. 
M. Johnson. 

7 Nancy, born 28 July, 1801; married 10 Aug., 1820, 1 Luther Farrar. 

Children, who as well as the parents, were deceased in 1877. 2 

8 Polly, born 18 Aug., 1804; married 10 April, 1823, at Middlesex, 1 

Lewis McElroy; both deceased in 1877. 2 
Children (two sons, four daughters, living 1877 3 ): 

1. Margaret McElroy, married- Hills. 

2. Daughter. 

3. ? Lewis McElroy. 3 

4. ? Charles McElroy. 3 

5. Daughter. 

6. Daughter. 

7. ? Frederick McElroy. 3 

9 Lucretia Jane, born 21 Aug., 1808; not living 1877; married 18 Oct., 

1837. 1 John S. Rice. No children. 

10 Lucinda Hannah, born 10 Feb., 1811; living 1877; married 29 Apr. 
1838, Elisha Scott. Two children, son and daughter living 

1877.2 

K-ll Philander, born 27 April, 1812; d ed 16 Jan., 1890; married Eliza¬ 
beth B. Shaw; (2) Mary E. Jameson. 

In 1810 William Holden was living at Middlesex, head of a family 
of self, one male between ten and sixteen, two between sixteen and 
twenty-six, three females under ten, one under sixteen, and one 
between twenty-six and forty-five. 

In January, 1867, James Henry Holden wrote to F. A. Holden: 
“The descendants of my grandfather's brother, William Holden, 
have been for many years closely identified with the interests of this 
town. Horace held the office of town clerk for thirty-two years in 
succession; a son of his now holds that office. The whole family, 
the male portion, were prominent public-spirited citizens holding 
in rotation nearly all the offices within the gift of our citizens. ” 

19631 Joshua ( Joshua , William , Stephen , Richard ), born 28 
Oct., 1765, at Ashburnham; died probably in Vermont; married 3 
Feb., 1795, at Ashburnham, when he is called junior, Lydia Parker. 

1 Middlesex, Vermont, records. 

2 Information of Philander Holden. 

3 Lewis, aged 20, Charles, aged 15, and Frederick McElroy, aged 11, were enumerated as members of 
the family of William X. Holden, whose wife was Eliza McElroy — probably her nephews? One of 
Polly Holden’s sons lived at Taunton. (F. A. Holden Ms.) 



FIFTH GENERATION 


343 


Children, 1 bom at Middlesex, Vt.: 

1 Betsy, born 2 Nov., 1795. 

2 Lucie Parker, born 13 Dec., 1797; probably died soon — see enum¬ 

eration in census of 1810. 

3 Lucinda, twin with Lucie. 

? Daughter. 

? Sons, five in number. 

Joshua Holden is stated to have lived at Weston, Vt., as well as 
at Middlesex, where the record of birth of the three children given 
above is found. In 1810 he was enumerated at Bethel, Vt., which is 
between Weston and Middlesex, and where at that time his brother 
Reuben was living, as well as Thomas and Ezra Holden. He then 
was head of a family consisting of self, given as aged between twenty- 
six and forty-five, a woman of like age, and another over forty-five 
years (perhaps his wife’s mother), one female between sixteen and 
twenty-six, one female and two males between ten and sixteen years, 
one female and three males under ten years, 

19633 Reuben ( Joshua , William , Stephen , Richard ), born 13 
Sept., 1770, at Ashburnham; 2 died 4 April, 1799, at Ashburnham, of 
consumption; 2 married 7 Nov., 1796, at Royalston 2 (intention 1 Oct., 
1796, at Ashburnham), 2 Hannah Nichols, of Royalston, born in 
1776, in Massachusetts. 3 She married, second, Peter Blanchard. 
They were living in 1850 at Weston, Vt., with Ivers Holden. 3 Family 
tradition asserts that Ivers was an only child and that his mother 
married Peter Blanchard. 4 

Administration on his estate was granted 10 April, 1799, to widow 
Hannah, who gave as sureties William Nichols and Robert Nichols; 
the bond being witnessed by William and Mary Nichols. There was 
no real estate. The small personal estate included a note of Joshua 
Holden. 

Child: 

1-1 Ivers, born 27 Nov., 1797, at Ashburnham; 2 married Rebecca Cragin. 


19651 Richard {Richard, William , Stephen , Richard ), born 
1 Sept., 1758, at Harvard, Mass.; died about 1820, at Waterbury, 
Vt.; married Ruth Glidden, born 1766, died 6 April, 1840, at Char¬ 
lotte, N. Y., aged 74 ( g.s .), daughter of Richard and Abigail (Hub¬ 
bard) Glidden, and sister to the wife of his brother Timothy. 


i it would appear that there were several sons in this family. In the town of Rochester, near Bethel, 
there lived a family of Holdens whose record has not been obtained. None of the name were enumerated 
there in 1810, 1850 or 1860. James I. Holden of Rochester was married 12 Aug., 1853, at Bethel to Clarissa 
Cram of Bethel. Rosetta E. Holden of Rochester was married there 1 Jan., 1839, to Moses Durkee of 
Stockbridge. There were Holdens in several towns in the corner of Windsor County, not all of whom 

have been satisfactorily identified. 

2 Town records. 3 Vermont Census, 1850 

< Letter of Mrs. Charles L. Holden of Bangor, 1921- 


344 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children: 1 

1 Guy, died prior to 1866. He is said to have removed to Canada, 

and also it appears that either he or his wife, Fannie, died at 

Middlebury, Vt., about 1816. He is not listed in 1810 as head of 

a family. He married - Armstrong; (2) Fannie. 

2- 2 Giles Hubbard, born 1 June, 1788; died prior to 1866; married 

Susan Bennett. 

3- 3 Richard, born 1795; died 28 Nov., 1855; married Maria Sage. 

4 David Solomon, born 1810; died 2 May, 1866, at Charlotte, 

unmarried. 

5 Hiram, died unmarried. 

6 Polly, died prior to 1866; married Giles Marshall. 

7 Sophia, born at Waterbury; died s.p. in Michigan; married Henry 

WlSWALL. 

8 Adeline, in 1866 living at Niagara Falls; married David Clark, a 

farmer in Niagara County, N. Y. 

Children: 

1. Caroline Clark. 

2. Ruth Clark. 

3. Mary Clark. 

9 Belinda, born at Waterbury; died 16 Aug., 1854, at Charlotte, N. Y., 

aged 50; married Stephen Marshall. 

Children: 

1. Adeline Ruth Marshall, married William Sedgwick. 

2. Harriet Marshall, married Stephen Sedgwick, brother to 

William Sedgwick. 

3. Frederic Marshall, born July, 1831; died 22 June, 1843, at 

Charlotte. 

10 Charlotte, who appears to have died 2 May, 1866, aged fifty-six, 

unmarried. 

11 Fanny, born at Waterbury. 

Richard Holden was a member of the company commanded by 
Captain Abel Walker, which marched from Charlestown, N. H., to 
Ticonderoga on the Alarm of May, 1777, and served from 7 May to 
21 June. 2 In 1780, he was a member of company commanded by 
Captain Ephraim Stone, and was in Colonel Bedell’s regiment in 
the Canada expedition. On the 8 April, 1782, he appears as sergeant 
in Stone’s company. 

In 1784 he was about Groton, Mass., and 10 November, that year, 
Nathan Corey of Groton, sold him and his partners “all gold, silver, 
and other mines, metals, or minerals on his homestead in the north 
part of Groton," reserving to himself one-sixth part of all that was 
mined and the right to carry on one-fifteenth part in partnership 
with the others, according to the regulations adopted by the major 
part of the partners. 3 

*The record of this family is from the F. A. and R. W. Holden Mss., both being incomplete. Polly 
is omitted by F. A. Holden. 

2 History of Charlestown, N. H. 3 Middlesex Deeds, 91:328. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


345 


Nothing came of this mining venture, in which Holden appears 
to have adventured fifty pounds. In the northern part of Groton 
there is a limited area in which is found bog iron, and various attempts 
were made to mine it, undoubtedly there also existing the belief that 
silver could be found in that vicinity. 

The census of 1790 enumerated Richard Holden at Waterbury, 
Vt., having then in his family two males under sixteen and 
three females. In 1814 he was one of the selectmen of Charles¬ 
town, and not long after removed to Perington, N. Y., and 
later to Charlotte. In 1812 there was a Richard Holden in 
Windsor, Vt. 

19652 Captain Timothy ( Richard , William , Stephen , Richard ), 
born 12 July, 1760, at Harvard, Mass.; died 9 Aug., 1833, 1 at Charles¬ 
town, N. H., aged 73 years (g.s.); married 3 May, 1790, at Charles¬ 
town, Hannah Glidden, born 2 June, 1770, died 11 July, 1800, 2 
daughter of Richard and Abigail (Hubbard) Glidden. Her gravestone 
reads, “A kind wife, a friend sincere, A mother of five lies buried 
here.” He married, second, 28 Feb., 1802, Mary Page, of Hopkin- 
ville, Vt., born 11 Nov., 1776, died 22 March, 1816, at Charlestown, 1 
aged 39 years, 4 months, 11 days (g.s.). He married, third, 22 Sept. 
1816, at Charlestown 2 Mrs. Katherine (Humphrey) Hubbard, 
born 17 Dec., 1777, died 1875, aged 98 years, 3 born at Goshen, N. H., 
widow of Jonathan Hubbard. 3 

Children, 3 born at Charlestown, N. H.: 

1 Tryphena, born 19 Jan., 1791; died 7 April, 1868, at Clinton, Ill.; 1 

married in 1810, at Charlestown, Jonas Hinds, born 25 Feb., 

1795, at Barre, Mass., died 24 July, 1864, at Clinton. They lived 

at Derby, Vt., Stanstead, Canada, and Clinton, Ill. 

Children: 

1. Hannah Hinds, born 26 June, 1812, at Charlestown; married 

in 1845, Elbert Hall. They lived at Earlville, Ill. 

2. Lewis H. Hinds, born 15 July, 1814, at Charlestown; died Feb., 

1855, at Clinton, s.p.; married in 1852, Caroline White. 

3. Cynthia Hinds, born 5 June, 1824, at Stanstead; married in 1852, 

George Harlow. 

4. Timothy Holden Hinds, born 18 June, 1826, at Stanstead. 

5. Henry B. Hinds, born 8 July, 1832, at Derby; died 9 Jan., 

1862, s.p., at Adams, N. Y. 

6. Susan Hinds, born 29 May, 1835; died 4 March, 1849, at 

Adams. 

1 Statement of James L. Holden, a grandson. 

2 Town records, where births of children by first marriage are found. 

3 The record of this family is taken from the F. A. Holden Ms., with additions from the R. W. Holden 
Ms. In 1867 Richard Holden, the eighth child, sent a family record to F. A. Holden, and in 1858 the 
latter visited Charlestown and copied the gravestones there, whence came the death dates and birth dates 
of such as were there buried. In 1917 William L. Holden of Aurora, Ill., son of Richard and grandson 
of Timothy Holden, possessed a record of his family made by Timothy Holden himself, and sent a copy 
to R. W. Holden, which was compared with the above. 


346 THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 

2-2 John Temple, born 17 Jan., 1793; died in 1831, drowned in Upper 
Canada; married Abigail Putnam. 

3 Abigail, born 4 Jan., 1795; died 27 April, 1875; married in 1816, 

Charles K. White, born in 1801, died in 1821; (2) Abner W hicher 
who died 14 Nov., 1852. 

Children: 

1. Harriet White, born 23 Feb., 1821; married Edmund Sanborn 

of Colton, N. Y. 

2. Jane Whicher, married 1 Sept., 1858, Stephen M. Glidden. 

3. Lidana Whicher, born 17 July, 1830; married 12 May, 1856, 

Shubael D. Todd. Lived in Minneapolis, Minn. 

4 Lewis, born 1 Jan., 1797; died 11 Dec., 1814. 

5 Clotilda Clinton, born 1 Aug., 1798; died 9 Sept., 1802. 

By second marriage: 

6 Caroline, born 10 Dec., 1802; died 31 Jan., 1858; married Samuel 

McCrea, of Charlestown, a farmer. 

Children: 

1. Martha E. McCrea, born 21 Oct., 1828; died 30 July, 1849. 

2. Caroline Holden McCrea, born 2 April, 1830; died 4 March, 

1837. 

3. Sarah Sophia McCrea, born 31 July, 1832; married 29 Nov., 

1852, Samuel L. Stone, of Worcester, Mass. 

4. Samuel G. McCrea, born 16 Jan., 1834; died 9 April, 1860. 

5. William H. McCrea, born 20 Sept., 1838. 

6. Helen L. McCrea, born 27 Nov., 1840; married 1 March, 1869, 

John D. Paddock, of Malvern, Ill. 

7. Caroline M. McCrea, born 22 Aug., 1844; married 5 March, 

1879, James L. Wogan. 

7 Adaline, born 13 Nov., 1804; died 5 Aug., 1807. 

8-8 Richard, born 14 (21) March, 1807; died 28 March, 1891; married 
Sophia Allen. 

9 Willard G., born 17 Aug., 1809; died 23 Feb., 1829. 

10 Sarah Page, born 16 May, 1812; died 23 Dec., 1872; married 4 

March, 1833, at Charlestown, A. Granville McIntyre of Spring- 
field, Vt., died in 1837; (2) 9 Dec., 1844, Nathan Brush Hull, 
born 2 Oct., 1824, died in 1889, son of Ephraim C. and Louisa 
(Graves) Hull. They lived in Charlestown. 

Children: 

1. Richard McIntyre, born 27 May, 1834; married 7 April, 1857, 

Caroline McClurg. 

2. Marcia McIntyre, born 25 Oct., 1836; living unmarried at 

Dorchester, Mass. 

3. Edgar H. Hull, born 1846; died 1848. 

4. Edward Hull, born 1847; died 1853. 

5. Rolla A. Hull, born 1856; died 1859. 

11 Mary, born 23 June, 1814; died 21 Dec., 1814. 

12 Timothy, born 11 March, 1816; died 4 April, 1816. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


347 


By third marriage: 

M-13 Timothy H., born 23 July, 1817; died 7 Jan., 1892; married Minerva 

J. Martin. 

14 Louisa, born 11 June, 1820; died at Surrey, N. H.; married 20 Oct., 

1840, at North Charlestown, Mark Lane, born 3 April, 1812, at 

Unity, N. H., died at North Charlestown, son of Justus and Huldah 

(Veasey) Lane. 

Children: 

L Sophia Catherine Lane, horn 27 April, 1842; married 1 Jan., 
1869, Evander French, of Jaffrey, N. H. 

2. Willard Martin Lane, born 27 Jan., 1847; married 16 Dec., 

1880, Almeda Maria Dunlap, born 11 June, 1859. 

3. Albert Lindsey Lane, born 8 March, 1851; married 7 Oct., 1878, 

May M. Howe, born 7 Oct., 1858. Lived at North Charles¬ 
town. 

4. Hermon Justus Lane, born 28 Oct., 1853; married 14 Sept., 

1881, Lizzie M. Arthur, born 20 Oct., 1859. Lived at Way- 
land, Mass, and Washington, D. C. 

5. Emma Minerva Lane, born 2 May, 1856; married Charles 

Reed. Lived at Surrey, N. H. 

6. Nellia Louisa Lane, born 11 Oct., 1858; died 11 Oct., 1877. 

7. Sarah Marcia Lane, born 24 Nov., 1863; married 1 Dec., 1887, 

Freeman P. Tucker. 

8. Johnette A. Lane, born Sept., 1860; died 18 March, 1862. 

“Timothy Holden, of Charlestown, aged seventy-two, 15 Jan., 
1833, declared that he enlisted in Captain Benjamin Kimball’s 
company, Colonel Huntington’s regiment in the Massachusetts line, 

1 Jan., 1776, for the term of one year. He joined the army at 
Winter Hill, nigh Boston, was stationed there, and at Cambridge, 
Boston and Dorchester until about August 1, then went to New 
York, thence to Morristown, N. J., where he was stationed until 
the last of December of the same year. For that service, on 6 
Nov., 1819, he was placed on the pension roll of the United 
States. 

On or about 25 June, 1777, he volunteered and he thinks joined 
Captain Abel Walker’s company of militia and Colonel Bellows’ 
regiment, marched to Ticonderoga; orders came to vacate the place, 
the enemy followed us until the army had retreated as far as Hub- 
bardston, Vt. Colonel Bellows’ regiment was in front. The British 
attacked the rear guard, and we were ordered back to their support. 
We soon met the wounded and were informed the battle was severe, 
but had ceased, and we were again ordered to march on. We did so 
and continued in march until dark when we encamped, and your 
declarant well remembers being on guard that night. The next day, 
there being no further service for us, we were dismissed and returned 
home. He was in the service at that time, three weeks; the evidence 


348 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


of this service is the affidavit of Nathan Allen and Thomas Putnam, 
hereto attached. 

Immediately after he returned home from the above service, orders 
came to raise men for two months to go to Cavendish in Vermont, 
about twenty miles from this place, to guard the frontiers against 
the inroads made by the enemy. Moses Wheeler of this town came 
to me and said he must go to Cavendish or hire some one to go for 
him. I then agreed to go and serve his term of duty, and did imme¬ 
diately join Captain Abel Walker’s company and marched to Caven¬ 
dish, where we were stationed and doing duty, scouting about the 
frontiers until the information came that there had been a battle 
at Bennington. There was one other company stationed at Caven¬ 
dish at this time, commanded, he thinks, by Captain Ford, both 
companies commanded by Major William Hey wood. On hearing of 
the battle aforesaid, we were ordered to march immediately for the 
west road, and continued until we arrived at Stillwater, N. Y., 
under the command of Major Hey wood aforesaid. 

Soon after we arrived at Stillwater (say in one week), we were 
ordered to Bemis Heights; your declarant being unwell, was ordered 
to stay in Stillwater; did so until his term of service, two months, 
was out, when he was dismissed and went home. The evidence of 
this service is Lemuel Royse and Barnabas Ellis. 

In the summer of 1780, when Royalton in Vermont was burned, 
he again volunteered and joined Captain Samuel Wether bee's com¬ 
pany, and immediately marched for Royalton. When we had got 
within ten miles or thereabouts, of that place, we were informed 
that the enemy had left Royalton and gone to Newbury. We marched 
immediately to Newbury, where the company, with other com¬ 
panies was stationed until we were dismissed. He was stationed 
at Newbury two weeks, and was gone from home three weeks. 
He attaches the affidavit of the Honorable Seth Putnam. Y"our 
declarant did faithfully serve his country fifteen months and one- 
half. 

He was born at Groton, Mass., 12 July, 1760, resided there with 
his father, one year from then came to this town with his father and 
family; where he has ever since lived.” 1 

He was discharged 9 July, 1777, having served twelve days; also 
served from 21 July to 22 Sept., 1777 under Stack at Saratoga in 
Captain Abel Walker’s company. 2 Family tradition asserts that Tim¬ 
othy enlisted as a musician (drummer) in 1776, and was with his 
father during the retreat of Washington through the Jerseys, and 
was discharged as captain. 

In 1798-9 and from 1801-3, he was selectman of Charlestown. 

Catherine Holden, widow of Timothy Holden, said to be ninety- 

1 Pension papers. 2 New Hampshire Revolutionary Rolls. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


349 


two years old, admitted 1 April, 1870, to pension at the rate of $96 
per annum, to commence 27 July, 1868. 

19657 Edmund ( Richard , William , Stephen , Richard ), born 23 
Oct., 1767, at Charlestown, N. H.; died probably prior to 1810; 
married, later than 1790, 1 Mary-. 

His name is not found in the 1810 census, either in Vermont or 
New York. 

Children, 2 born at Middlesex, Vt. 

1 Esther, born 7 April, 1794; married 9 April, 1814, at Middlesex, 2 

Jedediah Silo way of Berlin. 

2 Dolly, born 28 Dec., 1795. 

3 Roxy, born 25 Feb., 1799. 

4 Mary, born 26 Nov., 1800. Did she marry 10 April, 1816, at Middle¬ 

sex, Eleazer Mather? 

5 Columbe (male), born and died 20 July, 1802. 

6 Olive “of Edmund and Mary,” died 9 Oct., 1802, at Middlesex. 

19761 Charles ( Charles , Simony Stephen, Richard ), born prior 
to 1800, probably in Essex County; died 17 May, 1874; 3 married 
27 Sept., 1820, at Beverly, 4 Sarah F. Cleaves, widow of Joshua 
Cleaves, who died 7 Nov., 1816. 3 She was of Wenham, aged 83 
years in March, 1878, when she applied for a pension, asserting that 
Charles Holden enlisted June, 1813, at Charlestown as a marine, 
and that he was then of Beverly, a mariner, five feet eight inches tall, 
with dark hair, eyes, and complexion, and that he was discharged 
September, 1814. There was a Charles Holden enlisted as a marine, 
29 Nov, 1813, aged 17 years, with grey eyes, brown hair and fair 
complexion, five feet two and one-half inches in height, who left 
the service at the navy yard 26 July, 1815. 3 

In 1823 he was described as of Wenham, yeoman, only child of 
Charles Holden of Salem, mariner, deceased. 

Children : 4 

1-1 Charles, baptized 6 Oct., 1822, at Beverly; married Sarah O. 

Foster. 

2 Mary Elizabeth, baptized 20 Aug., 1826, at Wenham; married 30 

June, 1844, at Wenham, Leonard Dodge, aged 26, cordwainer. 

3 Jonathan O., born 1828, at Wenham; aged 21 at marriage, 17 July, 

1849, at Beverly, to M. Maria Hammond, daughter of Philip and 

Adaline (Swan) Hammond. He was a cordwainer. 

19812 Jonathan ( Robert , Jonathan , Stephen , Richard ), born 
May, 1770, at Templeton, Mass.; died 28 Nov., 1826, at Templeton, 4 
aged 56 years, 6 months, g.s.; married 28 Nov., 1793, at Templeton, 4 

1 jjj 1*790 lie was enumerated as a single man at Middlesex. I he family tradition is that he left Charles¬ 
town when young.” „ . , 

2 Middlesex records. 3 Pension papers. I own records. 



350 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Lydia Richards, who died 1 Oct., 1794, at Templeton. 1 He married, 
second, 5 May, 1795, at Templeton, 1 Sarah Crocker, who married 
again 3 Nov., 1828, John Chamberlain 1 of Royalston. 

Administration on his estate was granted to son, John Holden, 
5 Dec., 1826, who is called “eldest son.” His farm consisted of about 
seventy-five acres and in part bounded on lands of Robert Holden. 
Children born at Templeton: 1 

1 Lydia, born 9 Aug., 1794. 

By second marriage: 

2 Sally, born 20 July, 1796. 

3 Mary (Polly), born 15 Feb., 1798; died 30 March, 1809, 1 aged 11 

years ( g.s .). 

4 Eunice, born 16 April, 1799; married 25 June, 1822 (intention 7 April, 

at Gardner), Luther Seaver of Ashburnham. 2 
Children, born at Gardner: 

1. Sarah Seaver, 3 born 22 May, 1825. 

2. Luther Seaver, 3 born 1 Aug., 1829. 

3. Mary Bancroft Seaver, 3 born 10 Sept., 1831. 

4. John Seaver, 3 born 1 Aug., 1835; married Laura Lucretia 

Fiske, born 24 Jan., 1846, daughter of Thomas Appleton 
and Lucretia (Pope) Fiske. He lives in Templeton. Children. 

5. Emily Seaver. 2 

5 Eli, born 13 Dec., 1800; died 19 June, 1804. 1 

6 Hervey, born 9 Sept., 1803; drowned 11 Dec., 1826, 1 in Denison 

Pond, Winchendon. 2 Unmarried. 

7-7 John, born 14 June, 1805; married Hannah Chamberlain. 

8 Amos, born 3 May, 1807; died 7 Nov., 1824. 1 

9 Sukey, born 21 Feb., 1809; married 7 April, James Crocker. 

Children : 2 

1. Harvey Crocker. 

2. George Crocker. 

3. Rufus Crocker. 

4. Frank Crocker. 

5. Charles Crocker. 

6. A daughter. 

J-10 Jonathan, 4 born 11 Nov., 1811, 2 at Templeton; married Olive H. 
Wood. 

K-ll Eli, born 28 Dec., 1815; married 7 Nov., 1838, at Ashburnham, 1 
Mary Cutler. 

19815 Robert ( Robert, Jonathan, Stephen, Richard), born 1777, 
at Templeton; died 21 Nov., 1841, “aged 64,” 1 at Templeton, Mass.; 
married 2 Sept., 1804, at Wrentham, Mass., 1 Millie Blanchard, 
who married, second, 14 March, 1843, Samuel Kendall. 5 

At time of his marriage he was styled of Attleboro. He had deed 

1 Town records. * Information of Emory A. Holden (19812.J-4). 

3 Gardner records, quoted by R. W. Holden. 4 Not recorded at Templeton. 

3 R. W. Holden Ms. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


351 


5 April, 1806, from his father of the latter’s real estate, in considera¬ 
tion of support of his father and wife Joan. 1 
Children, born at Templeton: 

1 Nancy, born 14 April, 1807; 2 married 6 Nov., 1833, Francis Winn 
of Worcester. 

2-2 William, born 25 Jan., 1809; 2 died 1865; married Phebe Brigham. 

3 Millie, born 22 Sept., 1810; died 17 April, 1844. 2 
4-4 Adoniram (Andrew) J., born 1818; died 23 Dec., 1844, “aged 26’’; 2 
married Emeline F. Brigham ; (2) Eunice S. Flagg. 

5 Electa, born 1820; died 22 Jan., 1844, “aged 23.” 2 


19818 John (. Robert , Jonathan , Stephen , Richard ), born 1785, 
probably at Templeton, Mass.; died “about 1874 or 1875, aged 89 
years”; 3 married 3 April, 1808, at Royalston, Sally Lyon of Temple¬ 
ton. He married, second, 8 Oct., 1809, at Gardner, Mary (Mercy) 
Pratt. He married, fourth, Sally Maria Cotten, daughter of 
James Cotten. 

John Holden lived at Stephentown and Solon, N. Y. Mrs. M. W. 
Coleman, a granddaughter of Eber Holden, remembers hearing that 
Eber had a brother Havillah, who visited him in her recollection, 
and that they had a half-brother John. 

Children by second marriage: 3 

1- 1 Stillman, born 1 Feb., 1810, at Florida, Mass.; died 14 April, 1905 ; 

married Nancy W^etherbee; (2) Deborah Seymour; (3) Abigail 
Slater. 

2- 2 William D., born 27 Aug., 1815, at Florida, Mass.; died 8 Jan., 1906; 

married Betsey Seymour. 

By third marriage: 

3 Nelson. 

By fourth marriage: 

4- 4 Adelbert, born 16 Jan., 1844, 3 at Solon, N. Y.; married Flora 

Haight. 

5- 5 Edward Cotten, born about 1848; married Jemima Watrous. 

6 Myron, died in infancy. 


19819 Havillah ( Robert , Jonathan , Stephen , Richard ), born 
18 Dec., 1789, at Templeton, 4 Mass.; died later than 1867; married 
Nancy Freeman, died 26 Jan., 1815, 5 aged 23, daughter of Robert 
and Joanna (Bruce) (Whitcomb) Freeman of Attleboro. He married, 
second, 4 May, 1819, at Providence (he being described as of 
Cranston), Caroline Vo ax of Providence, 2 daughter of "Thomas 
Voax. He married, third, 11 Oct., 1846, Mrs. Dimrous Roper of 
Cumberland, R. I. 2 


1 Worcester Deeds, 163:303. 

* Information concerning this family 
George L. Holden, 1912. 


2 Town records. 

from the R. W. Holden Ms., was had of Adelbert Holden and Mrs. 
* F. A. Holden Ms. 5 Rhode Island American. 


352 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Havillah Holden lived in Cranston and in Providence, R. I. He 
kept a livery stable. His visit to his brother, Eber, at Templeton, 
Mass., in his old age is remembered by his grandniece, Mrs. Coleman. 
Children: 1 

1 Joanna Bruce; married Horace Aldrich. 

2-2 Thomas Vox, born 3 Feb., 1824; married Susan B. Ralph. 

3 Louisa Vox, married 1848 Edwin Conant. 2 

4 Eleanor; married William Leavitt. 

5 Elvira. 

6 Gilbert Havillah. 

7 Caroline; married Albert Crapon ( qy . Crapou). 

8 Matilda. 

9 Mary Emma married Andrew Atwood. 

10 Amanda. 

11 Ann. 

12 Cornelia. 

13 Samuel Curtis. 

1981K Eber (Robert, Jonathan , Stephen , Richard ), born July, 
1788, at Coleraine, Mass.; 3 died Feb., 1885, “aged 96 years, 7 
months,” 3 at Pittsfield, Mass., buried at Stephentown; married, at 
Stephentown, Sally Tyler, daughter of Barton Tyler. 3 
Children : 3 

1 Sally Ann; married William Jones (also given as James in R. W. 

Holden, Ms.). 

Children: 

1. Kate Jones. 

2. Nettie Jones. 

2 Maria; married Robert Parker. 

Children, in addition to four who died infants: 

1. Mary Parker, married 27 March, 1872, at Pittsfield, Martin 

Wells Coleman. Their son, Robert P. Coleman, is a gradu¬ 
ate of Massachusetts State Agricultural College and of the 
University of Wisconsin. 

2. Sarah Parker; married 8 May, 1879, William Lusk of Pitts¬ 

field. Children. 

3. Alice Parker; married 28 March, 1890, at Pittsfield, William 

Jones, Jr., her cousin. 

3 Alvira; died aged 27 years, unmarried, at Stephentown. 

4 Miranda; married William Jones, of Stephentown, her brother-in- 

law. 

Children: 

1. Harriet Jones. 

2. Freelove Jones. 

3. William Jones; married, at Pittsfield, Alice Parker, his cousin. 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. 

2 Loiza B. Holden and Edward A. Conant were married at Cumberland, 4 May, 1848, but this else¬ 
where appears as Louisa and Edwin. Also married there, 24 June, 1849, Mary A. Holden and Philip T. 
Miller. 3 R. W. Holden Ms., information of Mrs. Coleman. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


353 


4. Robert Jones; married, at Pittsfield, Eliza Dunlap. 

5. Frederick Jones; married, at Pittsfield, Margaret Hickey. 

Eber Holden was a good singer and would compose verse and set 
it to music. He was a lover of nature, and was in the habit of putting 
into verse descriptions of what he observed. After his wife’s death 
he lived with his daughters in turn. His portrait and that of his 
brother Havillah, as well as of others of their brothers and sisters, 
were in possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. Coleman, who recalled 
that there was a locality in Coleraine which was called the Holden 
District, but so called from the residence there of Caleb Holden, 
1924. 

19912 Joseph ( Benjamin , Benjamin , Stephen , Richard ), born 
28 Sept., 1764, at Princeton; died 23 Sept., 1798, at Rutland; married 
4 Dec., 1791, at Rutland, Fidelia Mirick, born 25 May, 1770, at 
Princeton, daughter of Caleb and Eunice (Jones) Mirick. 1 She 
married, second, 8 Feb., 1801, Joel Holden 1 (19915). 

Children, 1 born at Rutland; 

1 Joseph Belcher, born 13 Dec., 1792; died 31 Aug., 1840, at Rutland; 

married 30 May, 1819, at Rutland, Sally Saunders. 

Child: 

1. Charles Goodrich, born 8 May, 1825, at Rutland. 

2 Fidelia, born 3 Nov., 1795; died 19 Aug., 1823; married 29 March, 

1819, at Rutland, Rufus Gleason. 

Child: 

1. Fidelia, born 1819; died 8 Sept., 1821. 

3 — 3 Caleb Mirick, born 8 Oct., 1798; married Matilda L. Leland. 

19914 Benjamin ( Benjamin , Benjamin , Stephen , Richard ), born 
19 Nov., 1769, at Princeton; died there 8 April, 1832; married 2 Dec., 
1793, Hannah Gill, born 10 Jan., 1775, died 29 Aug., 1846, at 
Princeton, daughter of Hon. Moses and Rebecca (Boylston) Gill 2 
(of John and Hannah Gill). 3 
Children, born at Rutland: 4 

1 Catherine, born 11 (1) Feb., 1796; married, at Rutland, Moses 
Smith, born 23 July, 1795, at Rutland, died there 26 July, 1835, 
son of David and Lucy (Rice) Smith. 

Children: 

1. Mary Townsend Smith, bom 8 April, 1817; married Moses 

Smith. 

2. Benjamin Holden Smith, born 23 March, 1819; married Nancy 

Staples. 

1 R. W. Holden Ms., information of Mrs. J. E. Oldham; also Rutland and Princeton records. 

2 F. A. Holden Ms., where it is stated that Moses Gill was born at Charlestown in 1738, removed to 
Princeton, represented that town in the General Court, and was elected lieutenant governor of Massa - 
chusetts, 1794, being acting governor in 1799-1800. 

3 Information of Mrs. Jacob Holden. 4 Rutland Vital Records and William Holden papers. 


354 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 

3. Hannah Burbank Smith, bom 14 Feb., 1822; married - 

Cann. 

4. Clara Smith. 

5. Elvira Rebecca Smith, born 4 Feb., 1824; married 
Leathers. 

6. Catherine Elizabeth Smith, born 30 Aug., 1826; married 
Nourse. 

7. Sarah Abigail Smith; married Elisha Tucker. 

8. Lucy Richardson Smith; married- Whiting. 

9. George Smith. 

2 Hannah, born 8 Jan., 1802; died 22 Oct., 1884; l married 9 Jan., 1823, 

at Rutland, Colonel Miles Demond. 

Children: 1 

1. Augusta Demond, born 14 Jan., 1824; died 14 Dec., 1844. 

2. Lucy Richardson Demond, born 8 Aug., 1825; died 10 April, 

1832. 

3. Daniel Demond, born 20 April, 1828. 

4. Denny Demond, twin with Daniel; died 25 Nov., 1828. 

5. Edwin Demond, born 11 Sept., 1830. 

6. Theodore Demond, born 31 Aug., 1835. 

7. Ellen Elizabeth Demond, born 15 April, 1839. 

8. Infant, born 26 Sept., 1846, died soon. 

9. Infant, born 6 Sept., 1849; died soon. 

3 Benjamin, died in infancy. 

4 Rebecca, born 6 Feb., 1804; married (intention 16 March) 19 April,* 

1827, Charles Demond. 

Children: 1 

1. William Wallace (Charles) Demond, born 3 April, 1828. 

2. Darwin Dudley Demond, born 5 Sept., 1829. 

3. Moses Gill Demond, born 1 July, 1831. 

4. Francis Elmer Demond, born 10 July, 1833. 

5. Sidney Martin Demond, born 18 Jan., 1837. 

5- 5 Benjamin, born 5 April, 1806; died 11 April, 1891; married Elmira 

Watson. 

6- 6 Moses Gill, born 24 Nov., 1807; 2 married Emeline Davis. 

7 Mary. 

8 Elizabeth, born 13 July, 1812; 2 married John G. Hobbs, of Princeton. 

9 William Penn, born 6 March, 1815; died 1 May, 1842 (g.s.); married 

Matilda Reed of Hopkinton. Lived in Chicago. 

10 Caroline, born 1817; died 5 July, 1821, at Rutland. 

11 Abigail, born 13 March, 1820; married 7 May, 1846, George Darl¬ 

ing of Boston. No children. 2 

12 John. 

19915 Joel ( Benjamin , Benjamin , Stephen , Richard ), born 30 
Nov., 1772, at Princeton; married 9 Feb., 1801, at Rutland, 3 Mrs. 
Fidelia (Mirick) Holden, widow of his brother Joseph (19912). 


1 R. W. Holden Ms. 


2 Information of Mrs. Jacob Holden. 


J Town records. 






FIFTH GENERATION 


355 


Joel Holden made declaration 27 Feb., 1856, at Rutland, that he 
was the only living child of Colonel Benjamin Holden. 

Children : l 

1 Eliza S., born 23 April, 1801, at Princeton; died 5 June, 1887; married 

20 Dec., 1824, at Rutland, Rufus Gleason, son of Thomas and 

Hannah (Hill) Gleason. His first wife was Fidelia Holden (19912-2). 

Children: 

1. Jesse Gleason, born 7 Dec., 1825, at Princeton; died 28 Nov., 1829. 

2. Abigail Sophia Gleason, born 9 March, 1828; married 14 April, 

1846, Charles E. Whittaker. 

3. Joel Holden Gleason, born 16 Sept., 1830; died 30 June, 1862, 

in the Union Army; married Ophelia McMaster. 

4. Thomas Hill Gleason, born 22 Sept., 1833; married Perlethia 

Ann Rice. He lived at Butler, Mo., and died August, 1884. 

5. Jesse Barton Gleason, born 23 Sept., 1840; died 17 April, 1857. 
2 — 2 Joel S., born 21 Aug., 1804, at Rutland; married Persis L. Esta- 

brooks. 

3 Lucy Richardson, born 3 Feb., 1809; died 25 Sept., 1814. 

4 Lucy Richardson, born 11 Dec., 1815; died unmarried. 

21723 Samuel 2 ( Samuel, William, Samuel, Justinian), born 10 
April, 1765, at Dorchester; died 12 July, 1826, g.s., at Preston, 
Conn.; married 13 April, 1788, at Milton, Mass., Ruth Daniels, 
born 5 Feb., 1764, died 2 Aug., 1839, g.s., at Preston, daughter of 
Verin and Ruth (Billings) Daniels. 

Samuel Holden, Jr., was a member of company commanded by 
Captain or Lieutenant Williams, from Dorchester, called out during 
Shay’s Rebellion, from 8 Jan. to 8 Feb., 1787. Also member of 
company commanded by Captain James Robinson, Colonel Ezra 
Bedlam’s regiment. He also served from 8 to 13 Sept., 1813, in 
Captain Elijah Reed’s company, 34th Regiment. 3 He moved to 
Preston, Conn., about 1795, and engaged in farming. He was enumer¬ 
ated in the census of 1790 at Dorchester, three in family. 

Children, two eldest born at Dorchester, others at Preston: 

1 Louisa, born 19 (9) April, 1789; died 14 July, 1853, at Norwich, 

Conn.; married Captain John Hillard. 

Children : 3 

1. Adelaide Hillard; married John W. Bulkley. 

2. Louisa Hillard, born 1809; died 6 Feb., 1830, “ ae. 21 years’’ (g.s.). 

3. Charles C. Hillard, born 14 Sept., 1818; died 1862. He served 

in the Navy during the Civil War. By wife, Mary M., 

he had a son who died in infancy. 

4. Franklin Hillard, born 1821; died 6 Sept., 1876, “ ae . 55” (g.s.). 

1 F. A. Holden Ms., with additions by Mrs. J. E. Oldham, 1912. The children were baptized at Rut- 

2 -Information concerning this family was secured from Justin Holden, who in June, 1912, copied grave¬ 
stone inscriptions. Also F. A. Holden Ms. Preston inscriptions are found in N. E. Hist. Gen. Reg., vol. 60. 

3 History of Stamford, Conn., p. 354. 


356 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


5. Emma Hillard, born 1821; died 1824, “ae. 3 years” (g.s.). 

6. Infant, born and died 1824. 

7. William B. Hillard, born 1826; died 1833, “ae. 7 years, 

7 months” (g.s.). 

2-2 Walter, born 5 Aug., 1791; died 13 Feb., 1855; married Nancy B. 
Busiinell; (2) Lydia W. Moore. 

3 Rebecca, born 15 Jan., 1795; died 22 Sept., 1806 (g.s. at Preston). 

4 Caroline, born 31 Jan. ,1799; married 4 April, 1821, at Preston, Conn., 

James Kellam, born 26 Oct., 1798, at Preston. 

Children, born at Glastonbury, Conn.: 

1. Louisa Hillard Kellam, born 3 April, 1822. 

2. James Lyman Kellam, born 29 Feb., 1824. 

3. Angelina Maria Kellam, born 31 May, 1826. 

4. John Wilson Kellam, born 9 June, 1829. 

5. Sarah Caroline Kellam, born 22 Jan., 1832. 

6. Edward Holden Kellam, born 18 June, 1834; died Dec., 1840. 

7. Ann Eliza Kellam, born 17 Jan., 1838. 

8. Emily Kellam, born 26 Jan., 1840; died 20 Jan., 1840. 

9. Clarissa Jane Kellam, born 23 Nov., 1841. 

10. Maria Jenette Kellam, born 24 May, 1844. 

5-5 Samuel, born 28 Nov., 1801; died 3 Sept., 1849; married Sally H. 
Brewster. 

6 Charlotte, born 28 June, 1806; died 1830 s.p.: married Zebulon 
Robbins. 

21725 Edward (Samuel, William, Samuel, Justinian), born 30 
Aug., 1769, at Dorchester; died 16 Nov., 1823, on the passage from 
San Domingo to Boston; married 31 July, 1791, Anna Payson, 
born 2 Oct., 1772, at Dorchester, died 28 Feb., 1861, at Bangor, 
Ale., daughter of Samuel and Anna (Robinson) Payson. 

Edward Holden in early manhood taught school at Alilton, AXass., 
but about 1799 settled at Dorchester Lower Mills, and then taught 
school in a building in the old Plymouth road, corner of what was 
later River Street. Afterward, he became a commission merchant, 
with office at No. 1 Long Wharf, Boston, having as a partner James 
Andrews. The outbreak of the War of 1812 caused him to retire 
from this venture, and after the war he became a supercargo in the 
West India trade. He died on the passage from Aux Cayes. 1 
Children: 2 • 

S 1-1 Edward, born 25 Dec., 1791, at Dorchester; died 1827 ; married Eliza¬ 
beth Williams; (2) Sarah AIcClenachan. 

2 Stephen Cleverly, born 30 April, 1793; died 27 Alay, 1793. 

3 Anne Jane, born 9 Oct., 1795, at Alilton; died at Bangor, unmarried. 
4-4 George Washington, born 27 Oct., 1797, at Boston; died 5 (2 3 ) (12 1 ) 

Jan., 1853; married Almira W. Webb. 

1 Boston Recorder, issue of 13 Dec. 1823. 2 F. A. Holden Ms. 

3 Information of Seth Reed, who supplied information concerning this branch of the family. 

* R. W. Holden Ms. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


357 


5 James Andrews, born 13 Oct., 1799, at Boston; died 1827. He was 

United States Consular Agent at Aux Cayes. Sailing from San 
Domingo, 12 Aug., 1827, the vessel on which he took passage was 
never heard from. 

6 Charlotte McLellan, born 28 Oct., 1801, at Boston; married 1 Jan., 

1828, William Lander, who died 23 Jan., 1833, suddenly, at New 
Orleans, son of Benjamin and Mary (Kimball) Lander. They lived 
at Salem, Mass. She married (2) 21 May, 1841, William Jennison 
Whipple, Harvard, 1805, of Uxbridge, born 28 May, 1787, died 
4 Nov., 1850, son of Jonathan and Mary (Jennison) Whipple, a 
lawyer in Cambridge. 

Children: 

1. James Holden Lander, born 10 March, 1829, in New York; 

died 10 June, 1873, at Los Angeles, Cal.; married, at Los 
Angeles, Marguerite Johnson, who died 1860 at Baltimore; 
(2) 3 Nov., 1872, at Baltimore, Mary Ella Holden, daughter 
of Enoch Pratt Holden (21725-8), q.v. 

2. Francis Louis Ringold, adopted; name changed to Lander, by 

act of Legislature. He died 1862, at Harrison’s Landing, Va., 
corporal Co. A, 15th Massachusetts Volunteers. 

7 Lucy, born 3 May, 1804, at Dorchester; died 13 Nov., 1885, at 

Baltimore; married 22 July, 1827, in Boston, Seth Reed, born 22 
Aug., 1799, at Easton, Mass., son of Rev. William and Olive 
(Poole) Reed, a merchant in Baltimore. . 

Children i 1 

1. Olive Ann Reed, born 2 June, 1828, at Boston, died 8 Sept., 

1828. 

2. William Edward Reed, born 16 Nov., 1829, at Boston; married 

8 Dec., 1853, Sarah Elizabeth Thomas. Lived in Damascus, 
Md. 

3. Samuel Payson Reed, born 24 March, 1833, at Baltimore; died 

18 July, 1864, in hospital at Washington, a member of 8th 
Maryland Volunteer Infantry, of wounds received in the 
Battle of the Wilderness; married 23 Aug., 1855, Rachel 
Ann Brown. 

4. James Holden Lander Reed, born 6 July, 1836; died 27 Aug., 

1877, at Memphis, Tenn.; married 27 Jan., 1869, Lulu J. 
Daupree. He was in the Confederate Army. 

5. Wallace Willard Reed, born 26 July, 1838; died unmarried. He 

served in the Navy, holding a commission. 

6. Seth Gurney Reed, born 20 July, 1840; died 26 June, 1880; 

married Sarah McCurley. Enlisted as private in 1st Mary¬ 
land Volunteers, discharged as lieutenant-colonel. 

7. Lucy Holden Reed, born 24 Nov., 1842, at Cedar Hill; died 13 

Oct., 1836, at Boston, unmarried. 

8. Charlotte Whipple Reed, born 12 Nov., 1845; died unmarried. 

9. Mary Laura Reed, born 2 July, 1849; married 12 July, 1875, 

Joseph H. Sherbert of Baltimore. 

1 Information of Seth Reed, who supplied information concerning this branch of the family. 


358 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


8-8 Enoch Pratt, born 26 Sept., 1806; married Elizabeth A. Ijams. 
9 Mary Field, born 16 July, 1808; died 1 March, 1814. 

10 Judith Saunders, born 19 Feb., 1811; died 16 Oct., 1811. 

K-ll Jeremiah Fenno (Edward 1 ), born 2 April, 1813; died August, 1853; 

married Charlotte G. Gallison; (2) Sarah F. Singleton; (3) 
Elvira Parker. 

12 Mary Dix Harris, born 13 April, 1815, died s.p. 

p- , 

C 

21728 William ( Samuel, William, Samuel , Justinian ), born 
1 Dec., 1777, at Dorchester, Mass.; died Oct., 1827, at Portland, 
Me.; married Jane Crosby of Boston, born 1775, died 11 May, 
1844, at Portland, daughter of Daniel and Esther (Davenport) 
Crosby. He was a grocer. 2 
Children: 2 

1 Henry, born Dec., 1800; died 1833, unmarried. 

2 Charles, died young. 

3-3 Charles, born 21 June, 1804, at Portland; died 10 July, 1875; married 
Elizabeth G. Sampson; (2), Mary J. (Paine) Jellison. 

4 Jane, died young. 

5 Jane Crosby, born June 1808; died 1850; married Samuel S. Par¬ 

sons. 

6 Mary C., born 20 Oct., 1811; married 5 Sept., 1841, John Skillings. 

7 Eliza Ann, born 30 Aug., 1814; married Nathaniel Hamblin. 

21734 Stephen ( William , Samuel , Justinian ), born 25 Sept., 
1778, at Dorchester; died there 14 Sept., 1810 ( g.s .); married 26 Dec., 
1779, 3 Susanna Lewis Tolman born 16 June, 1776, 3 daughter of 
Elijah and Experience (Tolman) Tolman. 3 She married, second, 
21 Oct., 1817, 3 Ephraim Davenport, who died July, 1842, aged 
75 years. 3 Her son, Joel Bird Davenport, was born 26 Feb., 1819. 3 
Children born in Dorchester: 3 

1 Eunice, born 13 Sept., 1800; died 15 Oct., 1801. 

2 Stephen, born 6 May., 1803. 

3 William, born 1804. 

4 Susanna, born Dec., 1806; died 22 Jan. 3 (20 Feb., g.s.), 1810. 

5 Lydia, born Oct., 1808. 

21761 James {Jonathan, William, Samuel, Justinian ), born 
1 Sept., 1768, at Dorchester, Mass.; died 25 Oct., 1849, 2 married 31 
Aug., 1791, Abigail Dix , 2 at Newton. 4 
Children : 2 

1 Abigail, born 17 July, 1792; married 17 Sept., 1811, Samuel Cox, 
born 9 Nov., 1793, son of Samuel and Fanny (Watson) Cox of 
Cambridge. They removed to the State of New York. 


1 Name changed to Edward. 2 F. A. Holden Ms. 

4 R. W. Holden Ms. Newton Vital Records. 


3 Dorchester records. 


FIFTH GENERATION 359 

2-2 James B„ born 23 April, 1794; died 5 Feb., 1843; married Vina 
Shepardson. 

3 Ebenezer, born 21 Dec., 1795; died 18 Dec., 1880, 1 at Marion, Miss.; 
married 15 June, 1860, at Marion, Julia White, who was living 
in 1881. 1 Of Mobile, Ala., and Marion, Miss. He served from 18 
Sept, to 30 Nov., 1814, in company of Massachusetts militia com¬ 
manded by Captain S. N. Hastings. 1 

James Holden appears as a member of the company commanded 
by Captain James Robinson, February, 1787. 2 According to family 
tradition James Holden saw military service during the Revolution, 
but his youth would seem to negative that presumption. He certainly 
could not have been the “marine” of 1782, and the only others of 
the name who have not been positively identified were in the service 
in 1775 and 1778. According to the R. W. Holden Ms. he was first 
married to Mrs. Lois (Davenport) Davis of Brookline, had a third 
wife, and lived in Sherburne. 

21762 John (Jonathan, William, Samuel, Justinian), born 3 Nov., 
1770, at Dorchester; died 13 May, 1857; married 3 Dec., 1792, 
Sarah Clap, born 7 Oct., 1768, died 21 Nov., 1806, daughter of 
Noah and Ann (Clap) Clap. 3 He married, second, 9 Sept., 1811, 
Rhoda Sumner of Taunton, born 11 June, 1785, died 13 Feb., 1875, 
daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Holmes) Sumner. 

John Holden established a slaughter-house in Dorchester, about 
1795, near what became known as Boston Street. He continued in 
this business until 1837, when he retired with ample means. He is 
said to have been of a humane and benevolent disposition, but in no 
sense a public man. 4 

Children, 3 born at Dorchester: 

1 Anne, born 21 Sept., 1793; died 27 Oct., 1874; married 24 June, 1816, 
Ebenezer Sumner, born 24 March, 1790, at Taunton, died 16 May, 
1851. 

Children, 3 born at Dorchester: 

1. John Holden Sumner, born 9 March, 1817; died 17 March, 

1867; married 9 Sept., 1845, Caroline Augusta Kingsbury, 
daughter of Josiah Kingsbury, of Boston. 

2. Beulah Holden Sumner, born 2 Oct., 1818; died 31 May, 1845; 

married 12 Sept., 1838, Thomas W. Tuttle, of Boston. 

3. Ebenezer Otis Sumner, born 28 Oct., 1821; died 17 Sept., 1862, 

killed in action at Antietam. Member 1st Massachusetts 
Cavalry. 

4. Charles Sumner, born 18 Sept., 1823; died 27 Jan., 1847. 

5. Andrew Sumner, born 1 March, 1825; married 4 Jan., 1852, 

Martha Kingsbury, daughter of Josiah Kingsbury. Lived in 
Boston. 

1 Pension papers. 2 History of Dorchester, p. 353. 3 F. A. Holden Ms. 

1 See Crosby’s Obituary Annual, 1857, p. 185. N ,E. Hist. Osneal. Reg. 2:365. 


360 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


6. Edward Clap Sumner, born 14 April, 1827; died 7 June, 1847. 

7. Sarah Elizabeth Sumner, born 31 Aug., 1829; died 27 Oct., 

1845. 

8. Henry Pierce Sumner, born 14 Aug., 1831; died 5 Nov., 1831. 

9. Clarence Sumner, born 25 May, 1833; married 24 Dec., 1863, 

Josephine Sayward, daughter of William Sayward. Lived 
in Boston. 

2 Mary Ann Baker, born 29 Nov., 1795; died 25 June, 1833; married 
15 (25) May, 1832, Andrew Glover, born 26 March, 1798, son 
of Alexander and Jemima (Tolman) Glover, of Dorchester. Mr. 
Glover was a merchant. Lived at Dorchester. 

Child: 1 

1. Child, born and died 22 June, 1833. 

3 — 3 Ebenezer, born 19 Sept., 1797; died 28 Nov., 1880; married Hannah 
Parker. 

4-4 John, born 9 June, 1799; died 11 Nov., 1858, at Quincy, Mass.; 
married Submit D. Rice. 

5 Sarah, born 16 March, 1801; died 5 Nov., 1802. 

6 Sarah, born 9 April, 1803; married 23 Dec., 1823, Michael Mellan, 

of Boston. 

7 Beulah, born 23 May, 1804; died 13 Jan., 1818. 

By second marriage: 

8 Frances Brewer, born 20 Aug., 1812; married (intention 1 Feb., 

1833), Elisha B. Bird of Dorchester; (2) J. Atkins of Boston. 

9 Lydia Elizabeth, born 12 Sept., 1814; married 11 March, 1835, 

James W. Glover, of Boston, born 19 Feb., 1813, son of James 
and Jane (Beale) Glover. 

Children : 2 

1. Albert Holden Glover, born 31 Dec., 1835. Enlisted May, 

1861, in 33d Massachusetts Volunteers, for three years. Dis¬ 
charged June, 1864. 

2. James Glover, born 1837. 

3. Gustavus Glover, born 1839. 

4. Louisa Glover, born 1840. 

J—10 Albert Pierce, born 11 March, 1821; married (intention 13 Sept., 
1845), Julia G. Trufant. 

21764 Ezekiel ( Jonathan , William , Samuel , Justinian ), born 

11 March, 1775, at Dorchester; died 20 Feb., 1847 at-; married 

7 July, 1800, Sarah Le Cain, of Annapolis, N. S., born-1778, 

died 29 Jan., 1830, daughter of John 3 and Sarah (Province) Le Cain 
of Boston. 4 

He married, second, 2 Aug., 1838, Mrs. Patty' (Holden) Glover, 
his cousin, and widow of Samuel Glover, born 28 Nov., 1776, died 
5 April, 1864, daughter of Phineas and Thankful (Baker) Holden. 
She married, third, Deacon Ebenezer Clap. 3 

i F. A. Holden Ms. 2 R. W. Holden Ms. 

3 F. A. Holden Ms. The births of children are found on Dorchester records. 

4 John Le Cain was son of Francis Le Cain, a native of Scotland. 




FIFTH GENERATION 


361 


The will of Ezekiel Holden was dated 4 Sept., 1837. He was of 
Dorchester, trader. To Darius Brewer, druggist, of Dorchester, all 
his real estate in trust for his five children, Francis, John, James D., 
Edward and David LeC. 

Children: 

1 Caroline, born 5 Jan., 1802; died 16 Aug., 1812. 

2 John LeCain, born 22 Dec., 1803; died 3 Oct., 1805. 

3 Francis, born 25 Sept., 1805; died 15 Dec., 1859, at Washington, 

D. C.; married 22 May, 1831, Mary Ann Jones Bicknell of 
Roxbury, who died 17 Nov., 1831. He married (2) 22 Dec., 1842, 
Mrs. Eveline Fhillipena Maria Rebecca (Box) Copeland, 
widow of Robert B. Copeland, daughter of Rev. Joseph and Char¬ 
lotte Caroline (Heinemann) Folger of Charleston, S. C., who mar¬ 
ried (3) David James Judah. 

In early life he was engaged in the West India trade. In 1831 
he removed from Boston to New York, and several years later to 
Tallahassee, Fla. While there he was called into the service of the 
United States in 1847, and commissioned captain of Company D, 
Georgia Volunteers. He was appointed Brigade Inspector of the 
Florida Militia. At the end of his military service he obtained an 
appointment in the Library of the United States Senate, which 
position he held at his death. He was beloved for his manly virtues, 
and was followed to his grave by the Masons and Odd Fellows. 
He was secretary of the Jackson Democratic Association at Wash¬ 
ington, D. C. 

Major Holden accompanied the remains of Hon. Henry Clay 
from Washington to their resting place in Ashland, Ky. 

He wrote from the “Irving House, New York City, four o’clock 
Monday morning, July 5, 1852: 

“I arrived here on Saturday, the body is in the City Hall. I 
have leisure, being relieved by the guard of honor. Have placed 
the body on board steamer Santa Claus for Albany, having a large 
military escort with three or four bands of music.” 

And from the “Burnet House, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, 
July 8, 1852, 12 m.: 

“We have just arrived at this famed city of the west. I am in 
good health now, notwithstanding the severe heat of the weather, 
and my constant duties. I wrote you from New Y ork that we had 
just put the body of Mr. Clay on the boat for Albany, which was 
done at three o’clock Monday morning; the boat was delayed at 
the wharf in New York until eleven o’clock, in order that the city 
authorities could accompany the remains to Albany, where we 
arrived at 8 p.m., and the remains were escorted by some < 
thousand in various societies and organizations, to the Legislative 
Hall, where they lay ‘in state’ all night. 

“Tuesday we started for Cleveland by railroad; at Lake Erie 
we put the corpse on board the Steamer Buck Eye State, and left 
immediately, one o’clock midnight, to cross the lake for Cleveland, 
where we arrived at eleven o’clock a.m., Wednesday. 


362 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


“ From Cleveland we came by railroad to Columbus, arriving 
about dusk, and found a grand torch-light procession all ready to 
conduct the body to the Town Hall. At five o’clock Thursday a.m. 
we left Columbus for Cincinnati. 

“ Millions of people of all ages, sexes and conditions have ex¬ 
pressed their grief at the departure of the great statesman.” 

4 Sarah, born 1 Jan., 1808; died 22 Sept., 1811. 

5-5 John, born 24 March, 1810; died 4 Nov., 1874; married Lydia A. 
Cook. 

6 — 6 James Dexter, born 12 Oct., 1812; married 17 June, 1849, at Dor¬ 

chester, Mrs. Joanna B. (Ward) Dyer. 

7 — 7 Edward, born 4 March, 1816; married Emily Alden. 

8 — 8 David LeCain, born 4 Oct., 1819; married Anne M. Jones. 

2214K Silas ( Jonathan , John, John, Justinian ), born 1789, 
probably in or near Glastonbury, Conn.; married 18 April, 1813. 
at Concord, 1 Sarah Hosmer. 2 
Children : 2 

1-1 Silas Merriam, born 19 Sept., 1825; died— ; married Sarah W. 

Prentis. 

22254 Tilly ( Daniel, Daniel, John, Justinian ), born in Concord, 
1784; died in Concord, aet. 76 years; 3 married 9 Jan., 1814, at Concord, 
Mary Potter. He married, second, Susan E(ustis?). 

Children, from Concord records, “of Tilly and Susan E. Holden” 

1 Susan Eustis, born 21 Jan., 1825. 

2 John Albert, born 30 June, 1827. 

3-3 Marshall Henry, born 4 March, 1829; married Mary. 

4 A son, born 7 Dec., 1831; died same day. 

5 Mary Elizabeth, born 29 Dec., 1833. 

22273 Reuben ( Samuel, Daniel, John, Justinian ), born 21 July, 
1773, at New Ipswich, N. II.; died 10 Nov., 1813 ( g.s .), at New 
Ipswich; married 20 Feb., 1801, at New Ipswich, 4 Hannah Pritchard, 
born 11 Feb., 1780, at New Ipswich, died there 25 Aug., 1850 (g.s.), 
daughter of Amos and Anna (Andrus) Pritchard. She is named as 
Hannah Raymond in another account. 

He was a farmer at New Ipswich and styled “gentleman” in pro¬ 
bate proceedings. Administration on his estate was granted 15 Feb., 
1814, to his widow. Guardianship of the sons was granted to Na¬ 
thaniel Gould of New Ipswich. 

Children, born at New Ipswich: 5 

1 Jeremiah, born 16 March, 1803; died 1 April, 1804. 

2 Ira Samuel, born 17 Nov., 1804; died 4 Jan., 1880, at Baltimore, Md.; 

1 Town records. 2 Information of Franklin Waldo Holden. 

3 Massachusetts Vital Returns. 

4 Town records where all but eldest child are recorded. 

6 Family Bible record. See also History of New Ipswich. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


363 


married 8 Dec., 1846, Mrs. Catherine (McMurray) Dellinger, 
born Feb., 1816, at Baltimore, died there 5 Jan., 1866, widow of 
Adolphus Dellinger of Cincinnati, daughter of Samuel and Sally 
(Sellman) McMurray. He married (2) 27 April, 1871, at Baltimore, 
Mary Elizabeth Rogers, born 9 Feb., 1822, at Baltimore, 
daughter of John and Julia (Nagle 1 ) Rogers. Mr. Holden was a 
merchant in Baltimore where he was universally loved and respected. 
A brief obituary mentions his deep religious feeling and his “un¬ 
ceasing alms-deeds.” No issue. 

3-3 Amos Pritchard, born 26 Jan., 1806; died 2 Oct., 1852; married 
Mary J. Goodman. 

4 Eliza Ann, born 3 Feb., 1808; died 18 Sept., 1878, at New Ipswich, 
unmarried. 

5- 5 Edward Hosmer, born 26 March, 1811; died 25 March, 1842 ( g.s .); 

married Dorcas B. Cragin. 

6- 6 Reuben Andrus, born 9 Aug., 1813; married Aurelia A. Wells. 


22361 John ( John , Peter , John , Justinian ), born 1 June, 1789, 
at Holden (Leicester 2 ); died 1863; married Sally Iv. Smith. 2 

John Holden of Holden, gentleman, mortgaged land and dwelling 
house in Leicester in 1808. No wife appears. He was a farmer. In 
1815 his wife, Sally, joins in mortgage of twenty acres of land and 
buildings in Holden. The town of Holden was set off from Worcester 
on petition of Simon Davis and others (none of the petitioners being 
named Holden) dated 13 May, 1740. The town received its name in 
honor of Samuel Holden of London. 

Children, born at Holden: 

1 — 1 John, born 16 Feb., 1820, at Holden; married Mary J. Stetson. 

2 Zipporah, married 24 Nov., 1842, John T. Till. 

Children: 

1. Sarah Till, born 17 May, 1845. 

2. John Henry Till, born 28 July, 1848; died 3 Nov., 1849. 3 

3 Harriet, born 9 Jan., 1814, died 29 Dec., 1900, at Holden; mar¬ 

ried April, 1851, Leonard Gleason. 

22362 Peter (John, Peter , John , Justinian ), born 25 Feb., 1790, 
at Holden; died at Monmouth, N. J., “aged 40”; marred Ruth 
Sylvester of Massachusetts. He married, second, Eliza Price of 
Newark, N. J. He was a card manufacturer, and lived in Leicester, 
Waterville, N. Y., and Newark, N. J. 

Children, 4 born at Leicester: 5 

1-1 Peter Sylvester, born 17 Jan., 1814; married Mehitable Emery. 

1 F. A. Holden obtained information from Ira S. Holden, with whom he was acquainted. Concerning 
Mrs. Julia (Nagle) Rogers he noted she was born 26 Sept., 1788, died 7 May, 1880, and that in 1878 she 
stated that her grandparents, Joseph and Juliana Nagle, came from Germany, at the time the Muhlen- 
bergs came. Her mother, born in Philadelphia, was Catherine Warner, daughter of George and Barbara 
(Krebs) Warner, who came from Hanover. Her father, Henry Nagle, held her up to shake hands with 
Washington in 1797 or 1798. Her husband’s parents, Joseph and Margaret (Peterson) Rogers, were from 
the north of Ireland. Barbara Krebs was daughter of Michael Krebs. 

2 Information of C. S. Holden, 1917. 3 Holden Vital Records. 

* F. A. Holden Ms. 5 Leicester records . 


364 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


2 Margaret Chase, born 4 Feb., 1815; died 7 Jan., 1818. 

3 Child, died 9 Jan., 1818, aged 3 years, at Leicester. 

4 Mary, born 6 Sept., 1816. 

5 James Monroe, born 22 April, 1818. 

6 Daughter. 

22369 Edmond Hall (. John , Peter , John , Justinian ), born 8 
May, 1804, at Leicester; died 1867; married Sarah Marvin (also 
given as Metcalf). He was an iron founder at Newark, N. J. 1 
Children : l 

1 John Henry; married 27 July, 1853, Hannette Currier Page, 

born 18 Sept., 1835, daughter of Arza and Elizabeth Trundy 
(Currier) Page . 2 

2 Daughter, died young. 

3 Daughter, died young. 

4 Daughter, died young. 

2236K Asa Hall {John, Peter , John , Justinian ), born 3 Sept. 
1807, at Leicester; died at Newark, N. J.; married 5 Jan. 1832, at 
Newark, Annie Louisa Seymour, born in New \ T ork City, died 
3 Nov., 1838, daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann (Crissy) Seymour. 3 
He married again. 

Asa H. Holden was an iron founder and manufacturer at Newark, 
N. J. 

Children d 

1 Mary Frances, born 29 Nov., 1833, at Newark; married William 

F. Seymour. 

2 Emma Louisa, born 17 June, 1836, at Hingham, Mass.; married 

Peter P. Hanlenbeck; (2) John Brooks. 

Children, all deceased: 

1. F. H. Hanlenbeck, born 29 March, 1857, at Newark. 

2. Edgar Hanlenbeck, born 11 May, 1859, at St. Louis, Mo. 

3. Asa W. Hanlenbeck, born 4 Feb., 1862, at Newark. 

3-3 Edgar, born 3 Nov., 1838, at Hingham; married Kate Hedden; (2) 
Helen S. Burgess. 

4 Henri Seymour, born 31 Aug., 1842; died 1865, of consumption. He 
graduated A.B., with first honors, Princeton, 1863. Although he 
had begun studying for the ministry, he enlisted as a private in the 
Union Army. He refused a commission as he did not consider he 
was able to perform an officer’s duties. He took part in Burnside’s 
attack on Fredericksburg. “Nature meant him for a leader, and by 
that instinctive perception we all possess, we recognized his right 
to preeminence among us. As a linguist he was particularly promi¬ 
nent, and his love for Greek and German literature amounted 
almost to a passion.” (Memorial published by a classmate in 1867). 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. 2 Bridge Genealogy, p. 47. 

3 Information of Dr. Edgar Holden, a grandson. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


365 


5 William Elliott, born 1 Jan., 1849. 

6 Annie Hall, born 19 Aug., 1854, at Newark; married H. L. Keep¬ 

ers. 

7 Fredrick James, died young. 

8 Charles, died young. 

22J21 Thomas (Levi, Jonas, John, Justinian), born 5 Sept., 
1779, at Sudbury; died 20 May, 1820, at Belleville, N. J.; married 
7 April, 1799, at Sudbury, 1 Ann Vose, born 6 June, 1773. 2 

The name of Thomas Holden appears as that of a private in 
Captain David Kilbourne’s company of artillery from Orange, N. J., 
in the War of 1812. 

Children : 2 

1 Levi, born 19 Aug., 1799, at Sudbury; 1 drowned in childhood. 2 

2 Mary Ann, born 8 May, 1802, at Sudbury; 1 married William Ross 

Sanford, son of George and Elizabeth (Clark) Sanford. They lived 
at Newark, N. J. 

Children: 

1. Levi Holden Sanford. 

2. Thomas Holden Sanford. 

3. William Ross Sanford. 

4. Henrv Vose Sanford. 

5. George Washington Sanford. 

6. Edward Sanford. 

7. Charles Sanford. 

8. Franklin Sanford. 

9. Ann Elizabeth Sanford. 

10. Emeline Sanford. 

11. Ann Vose Sanford. 

12. Frederick Sanford. 

3- 3 Thomas, born 15 Jan., 1804, at Belleville, N. J.; married Nancy 

Willis. 

4- 4 Franklin, born 17 Jan., 1806, at Belleville, N. J.; married Caroline 

Coeyman. 

5 Eliza, born 7 June, 1809, at Belleville, N. J.; married Benjamin 
S. Tate, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Small) Tate. Lived at 
Newark, N. J. 

Children: 

1. Charles Tate, born 29 June, 1830. 

2. Elizabeth Tate, born 10 Oct., 1831. 

3. Franklin Holden Tate, born 20 March, 1835. 

4. Theodore Tate, born 21 Nov., 1836. 

22J24 George (Levi, Jonas, John, Justinian ), born 21 July, 
1785, at East Sudbury; died 21 Jan., 1847, at Newark, N. J.; married 
2 May, 1807, Eliza Ogden Nicholds, born 17 Dec., 1786, died 15 

2 F. A. Holden Ms. 


1 Town records. 


366 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


May, 1809. 1 He married, second, Mrs. Mary (Wheeler) Halsey, 1 
born 24 Aug., 1781, died 31 Aug., 1825, daughter of Caleb Wheeler. 
He married, third, Mrs. Jane (Hardy) Eagles, widow of William B. 
Eagles. 

Children : l 

1 Margaret, born 24 July, 1808; died 9 Aug., 1808. 

By second marriage: 

2-2 George, born 6 Aug., 1817, at Newark, N. J.; married Sarah 
Brower; (2), Mrs. Fairfield. 

3 Otis, born 26 Aug., 1821; died 14 June, 1863, unmarried. 

22J25 Henry (Levi, Jonas , John , Justinian ), born 10 March, 
1787, at East Sudbury; died 22 July, 1846, at Newark, N. J.; married 
Eliza Plum, daughter of Stephen and Nancy (Ball) Plum, born at 
Newark, N. J. He married, second, 1825, Mary Wade Nuttman, 
born 8 April, 1804, died 15 Aug., 1832. He married, third, Susan 
Morgan, born 1798, (living 1878). 

Children: 

1- 1 Horatio, born 17 Oct., 1809; died 13 Feb., 1846; married Eliza R. 

Halsey. 

2- 2 Henry, born 23 Oct., 1811; married Mary Strang. 

3 Emma, born 1814; married Rev. Mr. Gilder, of Brooklyn, N. Y. 
4-4 Warren, born 1 Feb., 1817; married Sybilla Hendel. 2 

5 Anna Elizabeth, born 19 Aug., 1819, at Newark, N. J.; married 

James Jacobus; (2), Obadiah Allen Thayer. Lived in Newark. 
Child: 

1. Alleine Thayer, died aged five weeks. 

6 Levi, born 1822; died young. 

By second marriage: 

7 Caroline, born 1826, died young. 

8-8 James Holmes, born 28 March, 1828; married Emily F. Brush. 

9 Mary Cotton, born 1829; died young. 

10 Sophia Ruckle, born 6 Jan., 1832, at Newark, N. J.; married George 
John Huss, son of George Michel 3 and Joanna Dora (Enzingmuller) 
Kuss. They lived in the city of New York. 

Children: 

1. George Martin Huss, born 1853. 

2. Johanna Dora Huss. 

3. Mary Sophia Huss. 

4. Henry Holden Huss. 

5. Anna Babetta Huss. 

1 Information of Rev. Louis H. Holden, 1:17. 

2 According to Rev. Louis H. Holden, he married Sarah, and had Alice and Miriam, both unmarried 
in 1917. 

3 George M. Huss was living in 1876, at Roth, near Nurenberg, Germany. He had been a teacher for 
fifty years and received a medal from the Bavarian government. He claimed descent from John Huss, 
the martyr. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


367 


22J29 Horace (Levi, Jonas , John, Justinian), born 5 Nov., 
1793, at Sudbury; died 25 March, 1862, in New York City; married 
8 Aug., 1816, Bathsheba Sanford, born 8 May, 1793, died 3 Feb., 
1820, daughter of Philo and Lydia (Whiting) Sanford. He married, 
second, 19 Feb., 1824, Mary Cotton, born 27 Nov., 1795, died 
17 Aug., 1832. He married, third, 25 Dec., 1833, Catharine Plant 
Judson, born 7 Feb., 1805, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Plant) 
Judson of Stratford, Conn., who were married 10 Sept., 1799. 1 

Horace Holden removed to New York City, 1809, from Newark, 
and became an eminent lawyer. 

Children •} 

1 Harriet Sophia, born 29 July, 1817, in New York City; died 31 Dec., 
1850; married, 1840, Stephen H. Thayer. 

Children: 

1. Stephen H. Thayer, born May, 1842; married 1870, Anna 

Thurber. 

2. Sophia H. Thayer, born May, 1845; married June, 1869, Rev. 

Howard Kingsbury. 

3. Horace Holden Thayer, born Oct., 1847 [27 May, 1851 1 ]. 

By second marriage: 

2-2 James Cotton, born 15 Dec., 1824, in New York City; died 13 Jan., 
1908; married Sarah D. Packard. 

3 Sarah Cotton, born 7 Aug., 1826; died 28 Aug., 1832. 

4 Mary Douglass, born 13 March, 1828; died 26 Aug., 1832. 

5 Eliza Storrs, born 23 Dec., 1829; died 6 Aug., 1860, s.p.; married 

12 April, 1859, Rev. Joseph Ford Sutton, D. D. 

6 Horace, born 13 Feb., 1832; did 31 Aug., 1832. 

By third marriage: 

7 Sarah Judson, born 16 Dec., 1834; died 20 Feb., 1836. 

8 Horace, born 10 Aug., 1836; died 6 Aug., 1842. 

9 Catharine Judson, born 26 April, 1838 at New York City; married 

10 April, 1866, Rev. Joseph Ford Sutton, one of the editors 
of the Presbyterian Journal of Philadelphia. Lived in Philadelphia. 
Children: 

1. Horace Holden Sutton, born 6 July, 1867; died 13 Nov., 1874. 

2. Joseph Holden Sutton, born 23 Oct., 1869; died about 1902. 

3. Daniel Judson Sutton, born May, 1872; died 30 Nov., 1874. 

4. Edward Forrester Holden Sutton, born lo leb. 18/4. 

5. Frederick Judson Sutton, born 3 June, 1876. 

10 Mary Sterling, born 25 Feb., 1840; died 15 Feb., 1845. 

11 Edward Ogden, born 28 Dec., 1841; died 26 April, 1848. 

L-12 Daniel Judson, born 15 Jan., 1844; died 21 June 1903; married 

Kate J. Know. 

23411 Isaac (Isaac, Justinian, Isaac, Justinian ), born 17/4, 
probably at Harvard, or Mason, N. H.; married Phebe Powers, 

1 R. W. Holden Ms. Additions from a family record in possession of Miss Edith Holden. 


368 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


born 1 Jan., 1784, 1 daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Cummings) 1 
Powers of Hollis, N. H. 

Isaac Holden, Jr., of Hillsboro, bought of John Nichols and 
Jedediah Preston, one hundred and seventeen acres, in 1795, and sold 
the same property two years later. 2 As of Ashby, joiner, he sold land 
in the westerly part of Ashby to Henry Wright, 19 April, 1804. No 
wife appeared. As of Ashby, housewright, with wife, Pheby, he sold 
land in Hollis, laid out to his wife as part of the estate of her father, 
Francis Powers, 17 June, 1805. 2 On 1 April, 1806, as of Mason, 
yeoman, he sold twenty-five acres in the northwest part of Ashby 
to Timothy Hartwell, on the road from Ashburnham to New Ipswich, 
and in this deed his wife, Phebe, appears, 3 and in 1807 sold sixty 
acres in Mason, which he purchased in 1804. 4 

He is not listed as head of a family in 1810 in New Hampshire, 
Vermont, or New r Y T ork. 

Child: 

1 Isaac Newton, born 27 Sept., 1806, at Mason, N. H., “of Isaac and 
Phebe.” 4 

23415 Phineas (Isaac, Justinian, Isaac, Justinian), born about 
1779; died 18 (24) 5 Feb., 1822, 6 in New Hampshire; 6 married 18 
March, 1810, at Hillsboro, N. II., 7 Sarah (Hartwell) Robinson, 
born 3 March, 1786, died 16 Dec., 1860, daughter of John and 
Susannah (Foster) Hartwell, and formerly married, 17 Oct., 1803, 
to George Robinson or Robertson, who deserted her in 1805, 6 and by 
whom she had a son, Levi Robinson, born 5 Oct., 1805, who died 
31 July, 1878. 6 

Children: 6 

1- 1 Horace, born 21 July, 1810, at Hillsboro; died 1904; married Mary 

A. Miller. 

2- 2 Franklin B., born 28 July, 1812; married Mary A. Abbott; (2) 

Sarah A. Sanborn; (3) Mary A. Blaisdell. 

3 Isaac, born 1 Dec., 1814; 6 died in infancy. 

4 Sarah, born 14 Dec., 1815; died 19 Oct., 1835, at Concord, N. H. 
5-5 Dennison, born 1 Sept., 1818; died 12 March, 1869; married 30 

May, 1842, Sarah A. York, of Haverhill, born 30 June, 1820. 

6 Susannah, born 22 July, 1822; married Abraham Russell, a ship¬ 
master, who deserted her after two years. She accompanied her 
brother Horace to Honolulu, and may have been married there. 
Child: 

1. Charles Russell. 

Very little is known of Phineas Holden. In 1810 he bought one 

1 History of Hollis. 2 Hillsboro County, N. H., Deeds, 67:267. 

3 Worcester Deeds. 4 Hillsboro Deeds, 70:495, 545. 

6 Brown: History of Hillsborough, N. II. 

6 Hartwell Handbook. 1 Hillsboro Deeds, 88:241. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


369 


hundred and nineteen acres in Hillsboro . 1 He was a farmer in com¬ 
fortable circumstances. He lived on the road from Dane Hill to 
Elmwood district. Today the site of his house is marked by a cellar 
hole . 2 It is stated by a descendant, Miss Marie Holden, that at his 
death his widow was left with small means and the labor of the 
children was needed to help support the family. Horace Holden in 
his “Narrative" tells of the death of his father, leaving five young 
children, three sons and two daughters. 

The census of 1810 enumerated Phineas Holden as “Pin 8 " Holden 
of Hillsboro, head of a family consisting of self, aged between twenty- 
six and forty-five years, one female between sixteen and twenty-six 
years, one female and two males all under ten years. One of the 
males was his own son, and the other a child of his wife, as was also 
probably the girl under ten years. 

23414 Justin ( Isaac , Justinian , Isaac , Justinian ), born 1780; 
died 2 (26) 2 July, 1863 ; 3 married 2 April, 1807, at Hillsboro, Lucy 
Hartwell, 3 born 16 July, 1788, died 5 Sept., 1880, in Michigan, 
at the home of her daughter, Lucy, 2 daughter of John and Susannah 
(Foster) Hartwell, sister of Sarah, wife of his brother Phineas, and 
of John who married his sister Sarah. 

Justin Holden was a farmer and music teacher. The census of 
1810 enumerated him at Hillsboro, head of a family consisting of 
himself, his wife, and two daughters under ten years. He lived at 
“Concord End." 

Children : 3 

1 Lucy, born 4 June, 1807; died 3 Dec., 1893; married 29 Nov., 1827, 

Stephen Woodbury of Antrim, N. H., born 6 Aug., 1798, at 

Dummerstown, N. H., died 12 Aug., 1840, son of Stephen and 

Betsey (Dutton) Woodbury. He was a tanner, and lived in 

Hillsboro and Bradford, and later removed to Bellevue, Mich. 

She married (2), 21 Nov., 1842, Samuel Clark of Geneva, N. Y., 

who died 9 Oct., 1862. 

Children: 3 

1. Justin Woodbury, born 3 Aug., 1829; died 6 Aug., 1831. 

2. Lucy Jane Woodbury, born 30 Sept., 1831; died Oct., 1853. 

3. John Woodbury, born 9 Aug., 1833; died 15 Oct., 1854. 

4. Mary Helen Woodbury, born 5 Sept., 1835; died Nov., 1835. 

5. Charles Woodbury, born 15 Dec., 1836. 

6. George Woodbury, born 25 Dec., 1839. 

7. Albert Clark, born 6 Sept., 1843. 

8. Edwin Clark, born 23 Dec., 1844. 

2 Mary, born 19 Oct., 1808; died 8 March, 1849, in Michigan. 


1 Hillsboro Deeds, 88:241. 
* Hartwell Handbook. 


2 Brown: History of Hillsborough, N. H. 


370 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


23418 Salmon (Isaac, Justinian, Isaac, Justinian), born about 
1790; died 1839, at Ottawa, Ill.; 1 married Susan Allen, 1 said to have 
had a brother Ethan. 

Salmon Holden was of Plattsburgh, N. H., in 1818. He was of 
Freedom, Lasalle Co., Ill., in 1836, later of Munsontown and Ottawa, 
Ill. 1 He was a brickmaker. 1 His name appears as Selwyn in the 
Llistory of Hillsborough. 

Children i 1 

1 Sarah; married John Batchelder. 

2 Cornelia; married William Wiley. 

3 Mary Elizabeth; married Stephen Jennings. 

4 Salome; married Henry King. 

23419 Ambrose (Isaac, Justinian, Isaac, Justinian ), born about 

1790, at Hillsborough, N. H.; died 11 June, 1869, at Kingsville, Ohio; 
married Sylvia. 

He married, second, 23 July, 1835, at Conneaut, Ohio, Abigail 
Sanborn, who died 25 Dec., 1890, and who was living in Ashtabula, 
Ohio, in 1878. 2 

Allen M. Cox, who was at funeral of first wife, deposed that the 
farm of Ambrose Holden was on Lake Erie, immediately west of the 
line between Conneaut and Kingsville. 

He served 25 Sept, to 17 Nov., 1813, in Captain Amos Richardson’s 
company of Vermont militia . 2 According to land bounty warrant, 
he served in 1812 in Captain Robinson’s company, Vermont militia. 

Children: 2 seventeen in all; most of those who survived were living 
in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, in 1878. 2 

1 Reuben, aged 42 years November, 1878, a farmer in Kingsville, and 
who in 1878 stated he was eldest son of Ambrose and Abigail, and 
had a married sister living in Michigan. 

26221 Jonas (Stephen, Stephen, Joseph, Justinian), born 3 Oct., 
1780, at Westminster; died 15 March, 1861; married 17 June, 1806, 
at Ashburnham, Lucy Brooks, died 11 Sept., 1808, aged 26, daughter 
of Simeon and Lucy (Whitcomb) Brooks of Ashburnham, Mass. 
He married, second, 29 May, 1814, at Westminster, Asenath Jackson, 
born 29 March, 1785, at Westminster, died 27 Jan., 1875, aged 89, 3 
daughter of Oliver and Mary (Pierce) Jackson. 

Children : 4 

1 Lucy Brooks, born 23 Aug., 1808; died May, 1887; married 17 Jan., 
1839 (intentions 31 Dec., at Westminster) Solomon Pratt, born 
3 Dec., 1813, at Guilford, Vt., son of Solomon and Sally (Young- 
love) Pratt. 3 

1 R. W. Holden Ms., quoting History of Lasalle County, III. 

2 Pension records. Harriet M. Holden witnessed assignment of Ambrose Holden’s bounty land warrant, 

20 Nov., 1855. ® F. A. Holden Ms. * Town records. 


FIFTH GENERATION 


371 


Children: 

1. Edwin A. Pratt, born 26 Aug., 1841. 

2. Emma F. Pratt, born 14 Jan., 1848. 

By second marriage: 1 

2 Susan Elvira, born 11 Dec., 1816; died 20 July, 1820. 

3 Samuel, born 3 Feb., 1818; died same day. 

4 Betsey, born 11 Dec., 1819; died same day. 

5 Mary, twin with Betsey, died day of birth. 

6 Handel, born 6 Feb., 1822; died s.p.; married (intention 25 June, 

1825) Betsey E. M. Chaffin of Hampden, Me. 

7 Abigail, born 19 June, 1823; married 17 Nov., 1846, at Westminster, 

Oliver Bartlett Estey, born 6 Jan., 1824, at Westminster, son 
of Oliver and Achsah (Bartlett) Estev. Both deceased prior to 
1877. Children: 

1. Frank L. Estey, born 28 Jan., 1859; died 11 Oct., 1860. 

2. Fannie E. Estey, b. 25 May, 1862; m. Charles W. Minott. 

26226 Levi ( Stephen , Stephen , Joseph , Justinian ), born 11 Jan., 
1790, at Westminster; died 6 April, 1843, at Jay, N. Y.; married 6 Oct., 
1816, at Westminster, Mary Lincoln, died 1828 at Rutland, Vt., 
daughter of Daniel 2 and Chloc (Marsh) Lincoln. He married, second, 
at Jay, Anna McGill, born 1 April, 1813, in London, Eng., died 
March, 1868, at Rockford, Ill., daughter of Hugh and Ann (Marston) 
McGill. 3 

xAt time of marriage he was living in Boston, and making voyages 
to the West Indies as supercargo; later in the wholesale grocery busi¬ 
ness. 3 He removed to Rutland, in 1824, and later to Jay. 
Children: 3 

1 Levi Lincoln, born 30 March, 1817, at Westminster; 4 married Cath¬ 
erine Head; (2), Sarah A. (Groom) Wallace. 

2-2 Stephen Marsh, born 4 Sept., 1819, at Westminster; died 1857. 

3 Mary Farnsworth, born 19 July, 1823, at Westminster; died 12 
Oct., 1844, at Fitchburg, unmarried. 

4-4 Marquis LaFayette, born 25 Sept., 1825, at West Rutland, Vt.; 
married Emily A. Wright. 

By second marriage: 

5 William, born Sept., 1832, at Jay; died young. 

6 Sarah Mariah, born Oct., 1834, at Jay; died young. 

7 Elmira, born Nov., 1836, at Jay; died young. 

8 Elias Marston, born 6 Dec., 1838, at Jav; died s.p. about 1899, at 

Neilsville, Wis.; 5 married 21 Aug., 1861, Margaret Hyslip, at 
Weston, Wis., born 12 Jan., 1836, at Onslow, N. S., died Oct., 1897, 
daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Crow) Hyslip. In 1858 he 
began logging on the Black River, Wis. He served in Co. H, 
48th Wis. Vol. In 1869 he settled at Christie; in 1877 was of 
Greenwood, whence he removed to Neilsville. 

1 F. A. Holden Ms. 2 Or daughter of Heman and Elizabeth Lincoln (F. A. Holden Ms.) 

* Information of Lincoln J. Holden, 1922. 4 Westminster records. 5 Hillsboro Deeds, 70:495, 545. 


372 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


9 Sophia Ann, born 10 Dec., 1840; died about 1922; married 27 Dec., 
1856, at Nashua, N. H., Marshall H. Bourne, born-; died 

4 Nov., 1922, from whom divorced in 1871 and to whom remarried 
11 Feb., 1895, at Ottawa, Kans., having in the meantime married 

5 Jan., 1873, at Greenwood, Wis., John Riley Coudrey, born at 
Hartford, Conn; died 13 April, 1882. 

Mr. Bourne served Co. I, 53d Mass. Vol. He was a cousin of 
President Garfield and closely resembled him in appearance. 
Mrs. Bourne was a woman of ability, active in church and Sunday 
school work. Children: 

1. Charles Marshall Bourne, born 6 March, 1858, at New Boston, 

N. H. Lives at Minne Kahta, S. D. 

2. Nellie Sophia Bourne, born 7 April, 1860, at Winchendon; 

married March, 1879, Allen Eugene Else of Green Lake, Wis. 

3. Ella Adelaide Bourne, born 9 July, 1862, at Ashburnham; died 

21 May, 1898, at Neilsville; married John Richardson. 

4. Frederick William Bourne, born 20 Nov., 1865, at Jamaica, Vt. 

Now of Fife Lake, Mich. 

5. Lillie Flora Etta Coudrey, born 12 April, 1874, at Sherwood 

Forest, Wis.; married Charles Matthews of Doland, S. D. 

6. Albert J. Coudrey, born 3 Nov., 1879; married May Estnif of 

Rapid City, S. D. 

10 Harriet Ellen, born 1842, at Jay; died young. 

11 William, posthumous, was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness. 

26241 Nathan (Elias, Stephen, Joseph, Justinian ), born 12 July, 
1785, at Westminster; died 12 Jan., 1829, at Malden, Mass.; married 
2 June, 1814, at Fitchburg, Dorcas Holt, born 4 March, 1791, at 
Fitchburg, died at Malden, 24 Sept., 1868, daughter of Joseph and 
Elizabeth (Stratton) Holt . 1 
Children: 

1 Dorcas, born 30 March, 1816, at Malden; married 10 March, 1835, 

at Malden, Ivory Phillips. Children: 

1. William Alonzo Phillips, born 12 Dec., 1838, at Taunton; died 

21 Feb., 1843, at Raynham, Mass. 

2. George W. Phillips, born 2 Nov., 1841, at Raynham; married 

12 June, 1867, at Malden, Sarah T. Newhall. He served 
four years in the Union Army. 2 

3. Abby A. Phillips, born 11 April, 1846, Malden, Mass.; died 

(2) 3 20 Sept., 1869, at Malden. 

4. Nancy A. Phillips, born 13 May, 1848, at Malden. 

2 Nancy, born 30 Sept., 1817; died 30 Sept., 1818. 

3-3 William, born 6 Oct., 1819, at Malden; died 17 Feb., 1860, at Green¬ 
field; married Eveline A. Warner. 

4 Nathan. 3 


26243 Asa 4 ( Elisha, Stephen, Joseph, Justinian), born 8 July, 


\HoU Genealogy, p. 99. *F. A. Holden Ms. 

4 F. A. Holden Ms.; information of Calvin Holden; History of Gardner. 


E R. W. Holden Ms. 



FIFTH GENERATION 


373 


1790, at Westminster; died 12 March, 1869; married 1 June, 1815, 
Dolly Whitney, born 2 Sept., 1793, at Gardner, Mass., died 
10 Sept., 1856, daughter of Joshua 1 and Vashti (Knight) Whitney. 
Children, born at West minster: 2 

1 Eliza, born 22 Jan., 1818; died 7 June, 1853, s.p.; married 26 Oct., 

1852, Joseph Payson Howe, born 23 March, 1852, at Gardner, 
son of Captain Ezekiel and Susanna Howe. She was a school 
teacher several years, and lived in Gardner. 

2 Salome, born 9 Oct., 1820; married, 8 June, 1841, 3 at Westminster, 2 

Artemas Merriam, a chair manufacturer, born 21 July, 1818, at 
Westminster, son of Joel 4 and Polly (Farnsworth) Merriam, grand¬ 
son of Nathan Merriam who married Polly Holden (264-81). 
Children: 5 

1. Stillman F. Merriam, born 30 May, 1843; died 7 July, 1843. 6 

2. Laura Merriam, born 29 July, 1844; died 15 Oct., 1844. 6 

3. Mary Ellen Merriam, born 28 Feb., 1846; married Adin F. 

Baker, of Westminster. 

4. Ida Eliza Merriam, born 21 Nov., 1856; married 15 Dec., 1876, 

S. Dwight Simonds, of Athol. 

5. Willie Merriam, born 9 Aug., 1859; died 13 Aug., 1859. 

6. Nellie Merriam, born 31 Aug., 1861; died 4 Sept., 1861. 

3-3 George, born 30 May, 1825; died 22 June, 1873; married Harriet 

F. Priest. 

4 — 4 Calvin, born 30 Nov., 1826; married Charlotte T. Houghton; 
(2) Sarah M. Underwood. 


26577 Joseph {Ezra, Abner, Joseph, Justinian), born 16 July, 
1800; at Westminster; died 24 Dec., 1868, at Youngstown, N. Y.; 
married 2 May, 1827, at Keene, 7 N. H., Olivia (Lavinia) 3 Daniels, 
born 16 April, 1806, died 14 March, 1830. He married, second, 
15 March, 1832, at Keene, N. H., Susan Brown, born 13 March, 
1807, died 16 Feb., 1867. 

He removed with his father to Chesterfield, N. H., where he lived 
until 1841, when he went to Lockport, N. Y., partly by canal, and 
from there to Youngstown. He was known as Captain. 

Children: 

1- 1 Joseph Daniels, born 23 July, 1828; married Olive E. Enderton; 

married (2) Mrs. Mary J. Howe. 

By second marriage; 

2- 2 Ezra Orlando, born 20 June, 1833; married Jane M. Hyde. 

3 Sylvius Hoar, born 22 March, 1835; died 25 May, 1853. 

4-4 Justinian (Justin), born 7 April, 1836; died 1911; married Harriett 

L. Brown. 


1 Joshua Whitney served three years in the American Revolution. 

2 Town records. R. W. Holden Ms 

* Son of Nathan and Abigail (Holden) Merriam, 2648. 

^ History of Westminster. 6 Gravestones at Westminster. 


7 N. H. Vital Statistics. 


374 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


5 Susan Lovina, born 18 Feb., 1839; died 23 July, 1839. 

6-6 Charles Brown, born 28 Oct., 1840; married Elizabeth M. Holden. 

7 William, born 5 Oct., 1842; died 23 Sept., 1843. 

8 William Hopestill, born 8 May, 1844, at Youngstown; married 

Rachel Turner. He settled at Watonna, Wis. 

9 Sophia Elizabeth, born 25 July, 1849, at Youngstown; married 11 

Sept., 1872, at Lockport, James A. Lawrence. Lived at Youngs¬ 
town. 

Children, born at Youngstown: 

1. Agnes Isabella Lawrence, born 11 Aug., 1873. 

2. Charles Lawrence, born 10 March, 1875. 

3. James Harvey Lawrence, born 19 March, 1877. 

26578 Justinian 1 (Ezra, Abner, Joseph, Justinian), bom 2 July, 
1802, at Westminster; died 18 March, 1858, at Keeseville, N. Y^.; 
married 15 May, 1832, Lucy Marean, his cousin, born 28 Sept., 
1807, at Hubbardstown, died 12 July, 1834. He married, second, 
1 Sept., 1835, Charlotte Marean, sister of his first wife, born 19 
Nov., 1811, died 24 Aug., 1854, daughter of Joseph and Harrie 
(McLenathan) Marean. He lived in Keeseville, for thirty years. 

Children born at Keeseville: 

1 Joseph Justinian, born 13 April, 1833, never married; lived at Titus¬ 

ville, Pa., in 1877. 

By second marriage: 

2 William Henry, born 17 April, 1836; died 19 April, 1836. 

3 Lucy Marean, born 15 Dec., 1837; died 2 Feb., 1838. 

4 Elizabeth Mattocks, born 3 Sept., 1841; died 21 May, 1842. 

5 Elizabeth Mattocks, born 3 May, 1843; married Charles B. Hol¬ 

den. 

6-6 John Mattocks, born 27 April, 1845; married Ellen D. Hayes. 

7 Charlotte Augusta, born 27 March, 1848; married 5 June, 1877, 

at Titusville, Pa., D. W. Field. 

26579 Ezra Shattuck (Ezra, Abner, Joseph, Justinian ), born 
17 Dec., 1810, at Westminster; died 1 April, 1867, at Porter, N. Y.; 
married 23 Feb., 1835, at Youngstown, N. Y., Elizabeth Davis, 
born 28 Oct., 1817, at Chesterfield, N. H., daughter of Jason and 
Martha (Phillips) Davis. He lived in Youngstown, N. Y., where all 
the children were born except Relief. 

Children: 

1 Orlando Wood, born 11 May, 1836; died 17 Feb., 1839. 

2 Evander Willard, born 1 May, 1837; died 1 Aug., 1838. 

1 “In February, 1878, about 76 years after the date of my father’s birth, the following anecdote was 
told me by my father’s half-sister, Mrs. Wood, who was aged eighty-six years, widow of the late Nathan 
Wood. The way my father was named Justinian was as follows: my great-grandfather, Hon. Abner 
Holden, then (1802) aged eighty years, was in the village of Westminster, and on his way home, my aunt 
Lucy, aged ten years, and her sister Relief, aged thirteen years, met him and told him that they had a 
brother. ‘Well, well,’ said the old man, ‘his name shall be Justinian.’ ’’(Letter of Joseph Holden.) 


FIFTH GENERATION 


375 


3 Harriet Elizabeth, horn 5 Feb., 1839; married 1 Dec., 1869, at 
Porter, N. ¥., Nathaniel Emmons Davis. Lived at Fairburv, 
Neb. 

Children: 

1. Lucinda Davis. 

2. Jabez Emmons Davis. 

3. Robert Elton Davis. 

t 

4. Jason Davis. 

4-4 Ezra, born 19 Aug., 1840; died 16 June, 1864; married Malantha 
E. Chubbuck. 

5 Orlando, born at Youngstown, N. Y., 16 June, 1842; married at 
Cambria, N. Y., 25 Nov., 1869, Mindana Maxfield Woolson, 
born 1 Aug., 1846. He served four years during the Civil War as 
a member of Battery M, 1st New York Artillery. No children. 
6-6 Evander, born 30 June, 1843; married Hattie Rich. 

7 Martha Phillips, born 22 Sept., 1844; married 15 Nov., 1865, at 
Porter, N. Y., John C. Griffin, born 9 April, 1832. They lived 
at Ransomville, N. Y. 

Children: 

1. George C. Griffin. 

2. Ezra Holden Griffin. 

3. John Forrest Griffin. 

4. Orlando Griffin. 

5. William Elbert Griffin. 

6. Sarah Estella Griffin. 

8- 8 Jason Davis, born 30 June, 1846; married Lucinda Davis Cooper. 

9- 9 Abner, born 29 Aug., 1847; married Alice Jackman. 

10 Deborah Bigelow, born 5 Nov., 1849; married 3 Dec., 1874, at 

Porter, N. Y., George F. Parker, born 3 May, 1850, son of John 
W. Parker. 1 They lived at Youngstown, N. Y. 

Child: 

1. Helen Parker, born 30 May, 1876, at Porter. 

11 Relief, born 11 Oct., 1851, at Bennington, N. Y.; died 18 Nov., 1858. 

12 Lucinda Josephine, born 12 March, 1855; died 7 Jan., 1863. 


1 Information of George F. Parker. 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 







DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


R Randall Holden, bom about 1612; died 23 Aug., 1692 1 at 
Warwick; married in Rhode Island, probably in 1648, Frances 
Dugan, daughter of William and Frances (Latham) Dugan, who 
is reported to have died in 1697. 

Children, recorded at Warwick, the first eight entered by the 
town clerk at one time, probably in 1665 or 1666: 2 

1 Frances, born 29 Sept., 1649; died 1679; married 1 Dec., 1671, at 

Warwick, John Holmes, born 1649, died 2 Oct., 1712, son of 
Obadiah 3 and Catherine Holmes. He married (2) Mary, widow 
of William Greene. 

Children: 

1. John Holmes, born 1672. 

2. Catherine Holmes, born 1673; died 28 Oct., 1758; married 

30 Nov., 1693, Joseph Gardiner; (2) Daniel Wightman. 

3. Frances Holmes (perhaps by second wife); married Nicholas 

Carr. 

2 Elizabeth, born “in ye month of August in ye yier 1652”; married 

16 July, 1674, at Warwick, John Rice, born in England, 1645, 
died 6 Jan., 1730-1, in eighty-sixth year, at Warwick. He was 
deputy in 1710. 

Children: 

1. John Rice, born 1675; died 9 Jan., 1755; married 25 July, 1695, 

Elnathan Whipple. Captain and deputy. 

2. Randall Rice, died prior to Aug., 1742; married Elizabeth. 

3 Mary, born “in ye month of August in the yier 1652”; married 

1 Dec., 1671, at Warwick, John Carder, died 26 Oct., 1700, 
son of Richard and Mary Carder. He married a second wife, 
Hannah, who survived him, and who was to bring up the two 
youngest children, Sarah and Joseph. 

Children: 

1. John Carder, born 6 March, 1673; died 1749; married 25 Dec., 

1701, Elizabeth Paine. 

2. Mary Carder, born 11 Sept., 1677; married 1700, Richard 

Greene. 4 Did she marry, second, at Bristol, 11 March, 
1727-8, Jabez Howland? 

3. William Carder, of New London; lost at sea, prior to Aug., 1714, 

probably in 1708; unmarried. 

4. Richard Carder, of New London; married Mary Richardson; 

lost at sea about 1708. 


i Austin: Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island; this date is given as 23 July, by Fuller. . „ 

»‘‘The Births of ye Children of Captame Randall Houldon Borne in The Towne of Warwicke. 

Sr f §ba e dia a h HotoJikeslmuef Gorton and Randall Holden, was from Lancashire. 

4 Richard Greene was brother of Benjamin Greene who married Susan Holden R 10. 

379 


All 


380 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


4 John, born “in ye month of January in ye yier 1656.” He was one 

of “those found capable to do some service for the town in the 
Colony Courts” who were admitted freemen 13 Feb., 1677. 1 On 
16 Oct., 1678, he was chosen on the jury of trials. On the 31 Oct., 
1677, he was one of the grantees of the five thousand acre tract 
to be called East Greenwich. Moses Brown 1 2 says of him that he 
was drowned in middle age; certainly all mention of him ceases 
with 1678, unless by chance he was the witness to a deed of 1705. 
There are no conveyances of land to him on Warwick records. 

5 Sarah, born “in ye month of February in ye yier 1658”; died [will 

proved 28 June], 1731; married Joseph Stafford, born 21 March, 
1648, living 1697, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Stafford. Joseph 
Stafford settled near the “greet wier” on line between Cranston 
and Warwick. He was admitted freeman at Warwick in 1677. 3 
An unsigned deed giving to “son in law” Joseph Stafford, for love 
and affection, by which Randall Holden intended to convey to him 
all his right in lands on the north side of the river running down 
to Pawtuxet Falls in Warwick, and share in meadow and upland, 
was executed by Randall Holden, Jr., 29 June, 1693. The following 
memorandum is appended to the deed, “This gift above mentioned 
was given several years past by my honored father Randall Holden 
late deceased, but an assurance thereof in his lifetime neglected 
to be signed, therefor I, Randall Holden his son and heir at law 
to his estate take it upon me to sign and seal this deed.” 4 Sarah 
Stafford left a will dated 5 Jan., 1727; proved 28 June, 1731. 
Children: 

1. Stukeley Stafford, died 4 June, 1740; married Elizabeth 

Waterman. Deputy. 

2. Joseph Stafford, living in 1746; married Susanna Gorton; 

(2) Margaret (Huling) Havens. He was many years a 
deputy, and major and colonel. 

3. John Stafford, died 1753; married Elizabeth. Captain. 

4. Frances Stafford, married 1 Dec., 1701, Benjamin Congdon. 

5. Elizabeth Stafford, died 21 Aug., 1756; married William Case; 

(2) 27 June, 1730, Israel Arnold. 

6. Mary Stafford, married Pasco Whitford. 

7. Sarah Stafford, died prior to 1727; married Joseph Smith. 

8. Margaret Stafford, married - Place. 

6-6 Randall, born “in ye month of April in ye yier 1660”; died 13 Sept., 
1726; married Bethia Waterman. 

7 Margaret, born “ in ye month of January in ye yier 1663”; died 1740; 
married John Eldred, died 1724, son of Samuel and Elizabeth 
Eldred. Lived in North Kingston, where he was prominent. 
Captain, treasurer, deputy. 

1 Town Records. 

t Moses Brown more than a century ago, collected many documents and statements by elderly people 
of his time. These collections are in the library of the Rhode Island Historical Society and are the source 
of many statements made by Austin in his valuable Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island. Brown listed 
the first two generations of Randall Holden’s descendants, as known to him, with some additional facts 

5 Fuller: History of Warwick. 

4 Warwick Deeds, 1:150. 



DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


381 


Children: 

1. James Eldred, had administration on mother’s estate, 1740. 

2. Thomas Eldred. 

3. Samuel Eldred. 

4. Robert Eldred. 

5. Anthony Eldred. 

6. William Eldred. 

7. Margaret Eldred, married 12 June, 1718, William Gardiner. 

8. Abigail Eldred. 

9. Barbara Eldred. 

8-8 Charles, born 22 March, 1665-6; died 21 July, 1717; married 
Catherine Greene. 

9 Barbara, born “second of July, 1668 one a thursday night”; on the 
town record her name is entered “Barbery”; died 1707; married 
4 June, 1691, 1 Samuel Wickham, born 16 June, 1664, died about 
1712 in Kingstown. He was deputy several years, also clerk of the 
Assembly. He married (3) 23 May, 1707, Mary, widow of Enoch 
Place. His children by Ann, his first wife, died in infancy. 

Children: 

1. Sarah Wickham, born 9 March, 1692. 

2. Samuel Wickham, born 2 Sept., 1693; died 23 Feb., 1753; 

married 17 March, 1723, Elizabeth Collins. He lived 
in Newport, was deputy and speaker of the House of 
Deputies. 

3. John Wickham, born 26 June, 1695; died 20 June, 1729, at 

Newport. 

4. Gideon Wickham, born Jan., 1696-7. 

5. Mary Wickham, born 15 July, 1698. 

6. Thomas Wickham, born 30 July, 1700; died 19 Sept., 1777; 

married 23 March, 1725, Hannah Brewer of Newport. 
Captain, deputy, merchant. 

7. Benjamin Wickham, born 17 Nov., 1701; died 10 Sept., 1779; 

married 11 Sept., 1733, in London, Rebecca Watmough; 
(2) 25 Dec., 1743, Mary Gardiner. Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Speaker of House. Of Newport, merchant. 

8. Charles Wickham, born 6 Dec., 1703; died 6 Sept., 1787; married 

Rebecca Brewer. Of Newport. 

9. William Wickham, born 1 Jan., 1705, of Newport; married 

Anna. 

10. Barbara Wickham, born 5 Oct., 1707; married 28 Jan., 1736, 
John Cottrell. 

10 Susan, born 8 Dec., 1670, “one a thursday morning one hower before 
day”; died 11 April, 1734; married (as Susannah), 21 Jan., 1689-90, 
at Warwick, Captain Benjamin Greene, born 10 Jan., 1665-6, 
died 22 Feb., 1757, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Barton) Greene. 2 
He had gift of fifty acres at Coweset, 29 April, 1690, from Randall 

Holden, Sr. 


Austin: Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island. 


2 Greene Family of Rhode Island. 


382 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Children: 

1. Benjamin Greene, born 10 June, 1691; died 11 March, 1714-15; 

married Phebe Arnold. 

2. Susannah Greene, born 16 July, 1694; married 10 June, 1714, 

Philip Arnold. 

3. Catherine Greene, born 31 March, 1698; married 30 Dec., 1719, 

Governor William Greene, Sr. 

4. Thomas Greene, born 30 Nov., 1701; died 15 Feb., 1702. 

5. Elizabeth Greene, born 26 June, 1706; died 6 Sept., 1753; 

married 31 Aug., 1726, James Allen; (2) John Frye. 

6. Margaret Greene, born 16 Jan., 1707; died 30 June, 1730; 

married 8 Jan., 1729, Pardon Tillinghast of Providence. 

11 Anthony, born 15 Oct., 1673, “upon A Wenesday.” No further 
trace is found of him unless he is that Anthony Holding, named 
in a proclamation by Thomas Povey, Lieutenant-Governor of 
Massachusetts, 24 May, 1704, as one of the crew of the brigantine 
Charles , Captain John Quelch, which had come into Boston with 
gold dust and bars and other spoil suspected to have been taken 
from an ally, and to have shared the spoil without lawful adjudica¬ 
tion. Holden was among those who escaped. John Quelch, the 
leader, and several of his company, some of them of Boston and 
vicinity, were captured, convicted, and hung as pirates. See 
SewalFs Diary for what little is known of this affair. Quelch 
had captured a Spanish galleon homeward bound from New 
Spain. 

Randall Holden, who himself wrote his name Howldon, is said to 

have come from “Salisburv." This statement is traced back to 

•/ 

1800, but its origin is not known. His associate, John Greene, with 
whose descendants the descendants of Randall Holden intermarried, 
came from Salisbury in Wiltshire, and this coincidence is probably 
the origin of the supposition that the Salisbury whence came 
Randall Holden was in that county. However, no trace of Randall 
Holden is found there . 1 Near Salisbury in Lancashire, which is in 
Blackburne parish, is a place called Ewood, and there in the first 
quarter of the seventeenth century lived Randall Holden, gentleman, 
who was buried 26 Nov., 1623, and his widow the year following. 
Randall Holden, the emigrant, was born probably in 1612. The 
parish register of Blackburn in which parish Ewood and Salesbury 
are situated, although fairly complete from 1600, lacks the record for 
the years 1610-14. The transcripts for those years are also lost, 
except for March 1611 to the following March. The name Randall 
appears to be confined to the Ewood branch of the family. Exactly 
what relationship existed between the Ewood branch and other fam- 

1 Mr. Frederick A. Holden wrote to a cousin: “I am corresponding with that great American anti¬ 
quarian and genealogist, now in England, H. B. Somerby, Esq., and hope through that gentleman to 
obtain such facts as will make my exertions, in addition to his, interesting to all our name.” This was 
in the late sixties, and at that time Mr. Holden did not know whether or not Randall was a brother of 
Richard and Justinian. Nothing came of this correspondence. 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


383 


ilies in the parish and in that of Whalley — they were all of the same 
stock — has not yet developed. 

Anthony Holden of Whalley married 10 Nov., 1567, Isabella 
Browne, the daughter of Henry Browne. She is also called Eliza¬ 
beth, but was buried under the name of Isabella, 24 Nov., 1585. The 
following year Anthony married Isabella Norram. The only son 
of record born to Anthony was John, baptized 23 May, 1572. This 
is the only occurrence of the name Anthony so far found in the 
Lancashire Holden family. 

It has not been possible to trace the history of John son of 
Anthony nor to learn with assurance the parentage of Anthony of 
Whalley and Randall of Ewood. The fact that Randall Holden of 
Rhode Island named his sons, John, Randall, Charles and Anthony, 
may have some bearing on the mooted question that perhaps Randall 
was son of John and that the latter was son of Anthony and cousin 
of Randall Holden of Ewood. 1 The ancient home of the Gorton 
family, of which Samuel Gorton proudly claimed to be a member, 
was not far distant. 

Randall Holden was about twenty-six years of age when he settled 
at Aquidneck, and was unmarried. He preceded Gorton to that 
place, and no hint of a former acquaintance between them is found. 
Holden was twenty years younger than Gorton, was early attracted 
to the older man, and became his chief lieutenant. Lie never hesitated 
to assume the initiative, and was a better balanced man than 
Gorton. As the latter advanced in years, his place as leader of the 
Warwick settlement was taken by Holden. 

Randall Holden first appears in New England as one of the signers 
of a covenant by which the subscribers incorporated themselves 
into a body politic, with the intention of planting a settlement beyond 
the limits of Massachusetts Bay Colony. This covenant is dated 
“7th day of the first month 1638,' 2 and it is supposed was entered 
into at Boston. Holden’s name is the last of the original signers. 

There is no mention in Boston or in Colony records of Randall 
Holden prior to his settlement in Rhode Island. The date, so early 
in the new year as March, would seem to preclude the supposition 
that he had but just arrived; it is more likely that he had spent the 
winter in Boston, and like Clark found the winter so cold that in 
the spring he sought a warmer climate. 

John Clark, who came from Suffolk, writing in 1652 3 recounted 
his first experiences in New England. He stated that he arrived at 
Boston in November, 1637. He attached himself to the party of 


1 Extensive but not exhaustive search has been made in many series of records likely to throw light 
on the history of the minor branches of the Lancashire family. See Introduction for a very brief survey 

2 1637-8. The settlers of Aquidneck accepted the first day of March as the beginning of their new year, 
J III News from New England. 


384 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Coddington and Hutchinson. To quote his own words, “I thought 
it not strange to see men differ about matters of Heaven, for I expect 
no less upon Earth: But to see that they were not able so to bear 
with each other in their different understandings and consciences, 
as in those utmost parts of the World to live peaceable together, 
whereupon I moved the latter, for as much as the land was before 
us and wide enough, with the profer of Abraham to Lot, and for 
peace sake to turn aside to the right hand, or to the left; The motion 
was readily accepted, and I was requested with some others to seek 
out a place, which accordingly I was ready to do; and thereupon 
by reason of the suffocating heat of the Summer before, I went to 
the North to be somewhat cooler, but the winter following proving 
so cold, that we were forced in the Spring to make towards the 
South.” 

During the winter of 1637 it is to be inferred (dark was in New 
Hampshire, but no mention has been found of Holden in that 
settlement. 

Clark relates that it was in the minds of his party to proceed to 
Long Island or Delaware Bay, but having journeyed overland to 
Providence, where the ship was to meet them, they were led by 
Roger Williams to consider either a settlement on the eastern shores 
of Narragansett Bay, or on the island of Aquidneck. Taking Williams 
with them, the leaders of the party travelled to Plymouth where 
they obtained assurance that the island w r as not claimed as part of 
the Plymouth jurisdiction, and if they settled there v r ould be looked 
upon as “loving neighbors.” 

The leaders of the party, which Air. LIow r ard M. Chapin says 
consisted certainly of William Coddington, William Hutchinson, 
John Clark, and Randall Holden, 1 determined to purchase Aquidneck 
(Rhode Island). 

Through the mediation of Roger Williams a deed w*as procured 
from the Indian sachems Canonicus and Miantinomo, 24 Alarch, 
1637-8. To the signatures of the Indians Randall Holden w r as a 
witness. 

As Holden w r as a man without family it is likely that he w r as one 
of the first of the purchasers to settle upon the island. Several families 
had gone thither soon after the purchase. The first meeting of the 
proprietors w r as held 13 May, 1638, and the name of Holden appears 
among those present. Gorton, driven from Plymouth, probably 
arrived on the island in December, 1638. He became at once a factor 
in the new settlement and, joining with Airs. Hutchinson, effected 
a coup d'etat, bringing about the substitution of the Hutchinson 
faction for that of Coddington’s, which controlled affairs to the 
time of the April meeting, 1639. Coddington and many of his party 

i Documentary History of Rhode Island, 2 : 25 . 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


385 


seceded and settled at Newport, leaving the others in possession 
of Pocasset, or Portsmouth as it soon became called. Holden’s name 
appears neither upon the list of those who subscribed the compact 
of 30 April, 1639, adherents of Gorton and Hutchinson, nor on the 
list of those who, adhering to Coddington, retired to Newport. He 
remained at Pocasset, and because of what followed and his later 
close connection with Gorton there can be but little doubt he was 
one of the men active in ousting Coddington from office. 

The first business of the General Court held at Newport, 12 March, 
1639—40, was the acceptance of Mr. William Hutchinson and several 
others, including Randall Holden, who “desired to be reunited to 
this body and readily Imbraced by us.' Many freemen were admitted 
and officers were elected, and the reunion of the two settlements 
effected. At the General Court of Election held the following year, 
16 and 17 March, 1641, the first business was the disfranchisement 
of Richard Carder, Randall Holden, Sampson Shatton, and Robert 
Potter. It was also ordered that “if John Weeks, Randall Holden, 
Richard Carder, Sampson Shotton or Robert Porter shall come 
upon the island armed, they shall be by the constable disarmed and 
carried before the magistrate and there find sureties for their good 
behaviour.” 

Holden was undoubtedly one of the party of Gorton, who also 
had been forced to leave Aquidneck, who applied for admission as 
townsmen of Providence, prior to 25 May, 1641. This was refused, 
but they were permitted to make their residence in that part called 
Pawtuxet, where they joined forces with Francis Weston and John 
Greene, opponents to the faction then in power. Randall Holden 
is next mentioned 15 Nov., 1641, as participating in the rescue of 
Weston’s cattle from attachment for debt. 1 Massachusetts being 
appealed to by many of Providence, to lend assistance in enforcing 
the law, refused, unless the inhabitants should submit wholly to 
its jurisdiction. Gorton and his party had settled on land belonging 
to Robert Coles, for which on 10 Jan., 1641-2, Gorton received from 
Coles a deed. There they began to build but soon found themselves 
in trouble with William Arnold, who with others now subjected 
himself to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts and, by obtaining the 
submission of two minor sachems, Pumham and Socononoco, brought 
the Gorton party in conflict with that colony. In November, 1642, 
Gorton and the others removed to a tract of land south of Pawtuxet, 
without the bounds of Providence and beyond the territory which 
had passed under Massachusetts jurisdiction by the submission of 
its inhabitants. Here they bought of Miantinomo, Shawomet, a 
territory of great extent, nearly one hundred square miles, embracing 
what later was known as Warwick, and extending westerly to the 


1 Massachusetts Archives, 2:20. 


386 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Connecticut line. Settling there they sent a letter to the Massachu¬ 
setts authorities, signed by twelve settlers, the second to sign being 
Randall Holden. This letter is dated 20 Nov., 1642. The deed from 
Miantinomo was obtained 12 Jan., 1642-3, the first named of the 
twelve grantees being Randall Holden. The following September 
Holden signed a long, rambling letter addressed to the “honoured 
Idol Generali, now set up in the Massachusetts,” subscribing it 
“the joynt act, not of the Court Generali, but of the peculiar fellow¬ 
ship, now abiding upon Mshawomet.” 

Massachusetts now determined to exert her authority. Commis¬ 
sioners with a small military force were sent to hear the charges 
made against Gorton and others. In October, the women and 
children having been sent away, after a stout resistance by the men 
of the party who held the chief building in the settlement, much 
powder being burned and many threats made, with injury to none, 
the stronger party obtained the surrender of Gorton and his friends, 
who were taken rather ignominiously prisoners to Boston. This 
was a high-handed proceeding, not entirely justified by what we 
are now able to learn of the circumstances. 

Eight of the ten prisoners were sentenced to be confined, each in 
a different town, there to be set to work, and forbidden to agitate 
their opinions, under threat of death. Randall Holden was sent to 
Salem. This was 17 Oct., 1643, less than a fortnight after their 
surrender at Shawomet. From a letter of Downing to Winthrop, 
dated at Salem, 6 Dec., 1643, it appears Holden did not heed the 
order of the Court. On his release in the following March, by order 
dated 7 Jan., 1643-4, he was forbidden to return within the jurisdic¬ 
tion of Massachusetts under penalty of death. 

Many years later, in December, 1678, when in England with 
John Greene, Holden, in his petition to the King, described his 
experiences during this term of imprisonment: 

“Your petitioners have been inhabitants in the towne of Warwick 
about 35 years. But before we were settled severall misunderstand¬ 
ings began to arise between the Colony of the Massachusetts & the 
petitioners, about matters in religion. For although that tract of 
land on which we sett downe was alowed & declared by themselves 
to be without their patent line, yet on a suddaine, we were seized 
on by soldiers sent from that Government, and many of us were 
tried for our lives by their arbitrary proceedings, without either 
jury or accusers, & saved by the majority of two voates onely; after 
which imprisoned & confined halfe a year in the winter season, 
with iron both on our leggs, and forced to worke for our subsistence; 
then banished from thence, & also from our owne habitations, never 
to return againe. . . . That about the year 1644 your petitioners 
came to England to make our compalint to your royall father of 



Randall Holden House, Warwick 
Drawn from memory. (From Fuller’s History of Warwick) 




























































































































































































































































































































DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


387 


ever blessed memory, & to obtaine satisfaction for our great losse 
& damages. . . . But our dear & native country was involved in 
such unnaturall broyles & disturbances, that our designes were 
frustrated, & we returned home.” 

During the period of the confinement of the leaders in Massachu¬ 
setts the settlement at Shawomet was abandoned, but the buildings 
were still standing on their return, as Gorton mentions they stayed 
one night there before passing over to Aquidneck where their families 
were. 

Gorton as well as Holden visited England in 1644. Holden returned 
first, having a safe conduct through Massachusetts given by order 
of the Earl of Warwick. Gorton returned in May, 1648. 

Holden and Greene returned from England in September, 1646, 
and repaired to Shawomet, which was now a part of the colony of 
Providence Plantations, for which Roger Williams had obtained a 
charter under date of 14 March, 1643-4. Williams had gone to 
England for that purpose in February of the preceding year, and 
returned in September, 1644, with the charter. 

Soon after the return of the prisoners from Boston in the early 
spring of 1644, the Massachusetts authorities had caused a strong 
palisaded house to be erected at Shawomet. This w T as done on 
the petition of Pumham and Sacanonoco, the Indian sachems who 
had brought the charges against Gorton and his company. The site 
of this fortified place may still be seen on the east side of the Cove, 
on the point commanding the entrance, and just north of the present 
railroad bridge connecting Warwick Neck with Oakland Beach, and 
was formerly the property of John Holden who owned the so-called 
Foster place. 

Chapin says that Gorton and Holden went to England in the 
autumn of 1645, prior to November 20, and obtained from the 
Parliamentary Commissioners, 15 May, 1646, an order to Massa¬ 
chusetts to permit the return of the Warwick settlers and the restor¬ 
ation of their lands. In October of that year the former Warwick 
settlers were still living on Aquidneck, although the preceding year 
they were represented in the new charter government, by Samuel 
Gorton, who was acting as commissioner in August, 1645. 

The first meeting held at Warwick, after the return of the settlers, 
was on 1 May, 1647. On 19 May, Holden, Gorton and others were 
sent as commissioners to represent the town in the General Assembly, 
and at that session it was voted “that Warwick should have the 
same privilege as Portsmouth. 

Randall Llolden was a member of the town council in 1647, and 
frequently moderator of town meetings. At the town meeting of 5 
June, 1648, he was elected treasurer, and from this time, for many 
years, he was one of the most important and active of the citizens 


388 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


of the town. He was sent to Plymouth in 1648 to inform the Com¬ 
missioners of the United Colonies regarding an order the town had 
received from the “State of England.” He was chosen assistant in 
1646, and for nine years thereafter in the period to 1676, inclusive. 
He was nine times commissioner in the period 1652 and 1663, 
inclusive, and served as deputy ten years, between 1666 to 1686 
inclusive. Hardly a year passed but he was the representative, one 
way or another, of the town in the Colony government. 

In 1665 he was one of those named by the Royal Commissioners 
as justices of the peace for the King’s Province, to serve until the 
following May when the Governor, Deputy Governor and Assistants 
were to assume office as such. 

With the rest of the inhabitants of Warwick he w r as forced to 
leave his home when the town was abandoned in March, 1676, 
succeeding which the Indian enemy destroyed all but one of the 
buildings. He returned with the others, and almost immediately 
was sent to England by the town, soon after November, 1677, to 
protect the town’s claim to former purchases from the Indians. 
John Greene again accompanied him. They returned early in 1678. 
Holden was certainly in England from July, 1678 to January, 1678-9. 
In 1681 he was chosen moderator. 

In 1683 he was one of a committee to draft a letter to the K : ng, 
and in 1687-1688 was justice of the Court of Common Pleas. 

It was after his return from England in 1646 that Randall Holden 
married. He took to wife Frances Dugan, the step-daughter of 
Jeremiah Clarke, one of the most important men of the Newport 
community. 

In giving testimony, 24 June, 1669, regarding the original grant 
of Dyer’s Island, Holden gave his age as 57 years or thereabouts. 
This would make him born about 1612, and 80 years old at his 
death, 23 Aug., 1692. 

Randall Holden settled in what is now known as Old Warwick. 
His house built after his return to the devastated town, in 1677, 
was in the present Main Street, and a sketch drawn from memory 
by Airs. John W. Greene, is reproduced in Fuller’s “History of 
Warwick,” and copied here. 

Not only did Randall Holden have his proportion of lands in 
Old Warwick on the Neck, part of which long remained in the family, 
but he participated in the various divisions of common lands among 
the proprietors. Thus he, and later his representatives, obtained 
land at Cowesit, in Coventry, and in other sections of the town. 
He himself obtained one of the five Wecochaconet farms of four 
hundred acres, his being the most northerly, and bounding on the 
Pawtuxet River, including a large part of what later became known 
as Natick. 


I 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 389 

He also became possessed by purchase of lands in the King’s 
Province, and acted as agent for others in procuring grants of lands 
from the Indians. 

His qualifications, both as a leader of men and possessor of landed 
and other estate, were equal to any in the community in which he 
lived. 


SECOND GENERATION 


R6 Major Randall (Randall), born April, 1660, at Warwick; 
died there 13 Sept., 1726 married 27 Jan., 1686—7, 2 Bethiah 
Waterman, born about 1664, died 23 July, 1742, daughter of 
Nathaniel and Susanna (Carder) Waterman. 

Children, (as given by Austin — not in Arnold’s Warwick records): 

1 John, born 26 Oct., 1687; will dated 9 Jan., 1747-8, proved 17 Feb., 

1749, at Warwick; married Hannah —, who married, second, 11 Jan., 
1750-1, at Warwick, James Mason, of Warren, Esq. She is said 
to have also married Richard Searle of Cranston and died prior to 
April, 1770. 3 John Holden was of Warwick, a cordwainer. By his 
will, of which his wife Hannah was executrix, he gave to his brother 
Randall his lands in Coventry joining his farm there and an equal 
share of the rest of his lands there with the children of his deceased 
sisters, Waite Holden, Mary Rice, and Frances Low. 4 To wife 
all the rest of his lands not disposed of, for life, and after her death 
to sisters’ children. Two negroes, Violet and Duchess, he gave 
his wife, and provided for her enjoyment of the land which was 
hers at the time she married him, or the proceeds of the sale of that 
land, also £200. Inventory of his estate disclosed £1349, including 
a “silver cup”, house and “shop.” 

2 Wait, born 26 Feb., 1690; d.y. 

3 Susanna, born 21 Jan., 1692; died 13 June, 1745, unmarried. Inven¬ 

tory of her estate, 10 March, 1745-6, disclosed bonds of Captain 
Thomas Rice and William Holden, each originally for £55. She was 
evidently living with and under the care of her brother John. 

4-4 Randall, born 2 Feb., 1694; died 1766; married Rose Wicks. 

5 Wait, born 2 Sept., 1696; died prior to 1748; married William 

Holden. 

6 Mary, born 15 March, 1699; died 1738-40; married Captain Thomas 

Rice of Warwick, who married, second, 1740,-. 

Children, born at Warwick: 

1. Freelove Rice, born 22 July, 1722; married 19 June, 1740, 

Jeremiah Webb. 5 

2. Dorothy Rice, born 30 Oct., 1723; married John Holden. 5 

3. Mary Rice, born 18 Sept., 1725; married June, 1742, Richard 

Greene. 5 

1 Inventory in Warwick Probate. 

2 Austin: Genealogical Dictionary of R. I. 

3 Richard Searle in his will of this date mentions lands left her by her first husband. He was father of 
Alice, wife of Anthony Holden. 

4 The children, seventeen in number, are named in a conveyance by Hannah Holden, widow, to them, 
29 Dec., 1750, by which for £100 they are granted the house and lands occupied bv the grantor. (Warwick 
Deeds, 7:469.) In 1763 fourteen of the heirs join in selling part of the estate left them by John Holden. 

6 Join with heirs of sisters of their mother, 24 Feb., 1763, in conveying mansion of house of John Holden 
to John Low. 


390 



391 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 

4. Bethiah Rice, born 1 Nov., 1727; married John Lippitt. 1 

5 . Ellen Rice, born 26 Nov., 1729; died prior to Dec., 1750. 

6. Holden Rice, born 10 May, 1732; married 2 June, 1751, 

Elizabeth Warner. 1 

7. Frances Rice, born 11 Jan., 1734-5; married 19 May, 1751, 

Ebenezer Graves; 1 married, second, Dr. Samuel Gorton. 

8. Robe Rice, born 27 March, 1736; married Roel Remingtin. 1 

9. Anthony Rice, born 2 April, 1738; living Dec., 1750. 

10. Waite Rice, born 2 April, 1738; married Charles Holden, Jr. 1 

7 Frances, born 29 Sept., 1701; died prior to 1747; married Captain 

John Low, of Warwick, born 8 Oct., 1702, son of Anthony and 

Mary (Arnold) Low. 

Children: 

1. Anthony Low , 2 born 1725; died 1802; married 1 Jan., 1754 3 

Phebe Greene; married, second, 2 Jan., 1766, Sarah 

Stafford. 4 See R642-K. 

2. Mary Low , 2 married 1 Jan., 1747-8, Joseph Potter, of 

Providence . 3 

3. Frances Low, probably deceased unmarried. Living 1737, but 

not living in December, 1750. 

Randall Holden left a will dated 19 Nov., 1718, proved 5 Nov., 
1726, at Warwick, of which his son Randall was appointed executor. 
To “eldest son John” he gave right of land at Seven Men’s Farm in 
Warwick and half a township right in Warwick Commons, etc. To 
wife Bethia. To daughter Susanna, £100 in care of wife, and after 
Susanna’s death to her children. Daughters Wait, Mary and 
Frances Holden, each £100. To wife one half of real and personal 
estate as long as she remains unmarried, and after her death to son 
Randall; and if she marry to have £200. 

Inventory, 24 Oct., 1726, £549-15-9. Additional inventory of 
real estate 14 Oct., 1742, two parcels of land, one of 19 acres and 
one of 10 acres, at £30 and £25 per acre respectively. 

Bethia Holden left a will dated 8 Aug., 1737, proved 13 July, 1742, 
at Warwick. Sons-in-law, William Llolden and Thomas Rice, exec¬ 
utors. To eldest son, John, or his legal representatives, a silver cup 
and other articles. Younger son, Randall. Daughter Susannah 
Holden for life. Son John one-quarter of residue. Daughter Weight, 
wife of William Holden, and daughter Mary, wife of Thomas Rice, 
each a quarter of residue, and remaining quarter to Anthony, Mary, 
Frances, children of deceased daughter Frances Low, late of Warwick. 

Inventory, personal property, £201-11-6, including two silver 
cups, eight silver spoons and much pewter. 

In 1709 Randall and Charles Holden were each proprietors of 

1 Join with heirs of s isters of their mother, 24 Feb. 1763, in conveying mansion house of John Holden 
to John Low. 

2 Joined with Rice and Holden heirs conveying mansion house of uncle, John Holden, 1763. 

8 Warwick records. 4 Greene Family. 


392 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


one-fiftieth part of the West Greenwich grant. On 3 July, 1725, 
Randall Holden granted to son Randall, for love and affection, all 
that part of housing that was last built, and one-half of lands and 
orchards in the Four-Mile Township, except two shares in meadow 
and the right of voting on the Commonage which belonged to his 
father, which he reserves to himself. 1 William Holden, Wait Holden, 
Thomas Rice, Mary Rice, John Low, Frances Low, convey to 
brother Randall Holden, land in Warwick, 7 Dec., 1726. 

Moses Brown states that Randall Holden settled in the “lower 
part of Warwick.” He was an active and influential man in town 
and county. 

Justice of the Peace for Warwick, 1698-1704. Deputy to General 
Assembly, 1696, 1699, 1700, 1704, 1714, 1715, 1721. One of commis¬ 
sioners who settled the Connecticut boundary, 12 May, 1703, and 
28 Oct., 1719, appointed to run the line. Assistant, 1705-25, except 
1714, and Speaker of House of Deputies 1714-15. Major of the 
Militia “for the Main,” 1706, 1707. On committee on vacant lands 
in Narragansett, April, 1708. Refused commission as colonel of 
2d Regiment, 1718. 


R8 Charles (Randall), of Warwick, born there 22 March, 
1665-6; died there 21 July, 1717, leaving a will dated 12 July, which 
was proved at Warwick 17 August following; married Katherine 
Greene, born 15 Aug., 1665, died 1753, daughter of John and Ann 
(Almy) Greene. Her will was dated 22 June, 1753, and proved at 
Warwick 8 December following. 

Children, births not of record: 2 

1 Frances, born 9 Jan., 1689-90; died prior to 1753; married Job 

Bennett (son of Robert), of Newport. She is known to have had 
a son Job, and as there appear on Newport records between the 
years 1740 and 1760, marriages of Job, 3 Frances, 3 Anthony, and 
Penelope Bennett, it may be assumed they were her children. 

2 Ann, born 25 March, 1691; married John Low of Warwick, known 

as senior , who died intestate 1757, son of John and Mary (Rhodes) 
Low, uncle of Captain John Low, R6-7. 

Children: 

1. Anthony Low, of Warwick, known as “Captain.” 

2. John Low, “Junior”, of Warwick. 

3. Ann Low. 

3 — o Anthony, born 8 Dec., 1693; died 13 May, 1720; married Phebe 
Rhodes, sister to John Rhodes above. 

4 Catherine, born 6 Aug., 1694; died 25 July, 1731, at Warwick; 


1 Warwick Deeds, 3:281. 

2 The dates given are from the Greene Family, presumably from a Holden Bible in existence in 1867. 

Job Bennett and Frances Nichols received bequests under their grandmother’s will. Frances Bennett 

married, a h ISe ^'Port, 1743, Benjamin Nichols. Job Bennett and Mary- were married 1741, and 

Job Bennett and Abigail Dyer, 1757. ’ 



393 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 

married there 29 April, 1713-4, Major John Rhodes, born 20 
°V‘, 1691, died 1*76, son of John and Waite (Waterman) Rhodes. 
He married, second, Mary, widow of James Whipple. He was 

locally prominent, and for several years deputy to the General 
Assembly. 

Children: 

1. Waite (Waight) Rhodes, born 29 Dec., 1714; died 13 Oct., 

1/68; 1 married 20 April, 1732, 1 Moses Lippitt, Jr., of 
Warwick. 

2. John Rhodes, born 5 May, 1716; died 1774; 2 married 25 April, 

1738, Sarah Greene. 

3. Catherine Rhodes, born 1 Aug., 1717; married about 1736 

Rufus Barton, of Warwick; (2) 24 Oct., 1754, Stephen 
Greene. 1 She had a son Holden Barton. 

4. Charles Rhodes, born 29 Sept., 1719; married 31 Jan., 1738-9, 

Deborah Greene. He named a son Holden Rhodes. 

5. Mercy Rhodes, born 29 Feb., 1720-1; died Feb., 1723-4. 

6. Anthony Rhodes, born 29 May, 1722. 

7. Joseph Rhodes, born 22 Aug., 1723; married 4 Feb., 1747, 

Anne Weaver. 1 

8. Zachariah Rhodes, born 8 Sept., 1727. 

9. Holden Rhodes, born 20 May, 1731; married Mary Remington; 

married, second, 12 March, 1769, Susannah Wall. Lived in 
Warwick. 

5 — 5 Charles, born 24 Sept. (May), 1695; died June, 1785, aged 89 years, 
7 months, 15 days. 3 His will was proved 13 June; married Penelope 
Bennett. 

6- 6 William, born about 1700; living 1763; 4 married Waite Holden. 

7- 7 John, born 24 Sept., 1702, a minor in 1717; died Nov., 1800, in his 

hundredth year; 5 mairied Deliverance Greene; married, second, 
Hannah Fry. 

Charles Holden was lieutenant of the local military company, 
and from 1710 to 1716 was deputy to the General Assembly. In 
1702 he contributed three shillings toward the building of the Quaker 
Meeting House at Mashapaug. 

At the date of making his will, 12 July, 1717, he was “sick and 
weak.” This was a fatal illness, as his will was proved the seventeenth 
of the following month. To his wife Katherine he left a half of his 
dwelling house and land, during her widowhood, and the profits of 
all his estate, if she remained unmarried, until his son John was 
twenty-one years of age. To John he gave the other half of his 
house and land and one-half his movables, at age of twenty-one, 
and the other half of the movables to be enjoyed by him immediately 
upon the testator’s decease, the whole to be his upon his mother’s 

i R. W. Holden Ms. 2 Greene Family. 

3 United States Chronicle of 20 June. 

4 Moses Brown stated he died “about 1801, aged about 96.” 

5 United Slates Chronicle. 


394 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


death or remarriage. This was the homestead only, for to son Anthony 
he gave 95 acres adjoining the west end of the homestead farm, and 
to sons Charles and William, the remainder of his lands equally. 
John also received a quarter of commonage in Warwick, and was 
obligated to pay William £10. Anthony was to pay Charles £5. 
To daughters Frances Bennett, Ann Low, and Catherine Roads, 
he left £5 each. The witnesses were John Rice, Sr., and John Rice, 
Jr., and Thomas Rice. 

The inventory of his personal estate disclosed £187-12-8. 
Katherine Holden left a will dated 22 June, 1753. She was then 
in her “88th year.” It was proved 8 December following. To each 
of her sons, Charles, William, and John, she gave a silver spoon 
marked H and sundry small legacies, including a Bible to Charles. 
CbK 

To grandchildren Job Bennett, Frances Nichols, each £10, and to 
grandson Anthony Holden £20. Residue one-half to daughter 
Ann Low and the other half to her children, Waight Lippitt, Katherine 
Barton. 

Inventory of her estate disclosed £563, including a silver cup. 
Her son John Holden, Esq., was executor. 



THIRD GENERATION 

R64 Ensign Randall ( Randall , Randall ), of Warwick, born 
2 Feb., 1694, at Warwick; died there 1766; married 3 July, 1724, 
at Warwick, Rose Wicks, born 12 Aug., 1702, died 1789, daughter 
of John and Sarah (Gorton) Wicks. 

Children, the four eldest recorded at Warwick: 

1 Mary, born 17 Nov., 1724; living 1765, unmarried. Not named in 
her mother’s will, 1783. 

2-2 Randall, “eldest son”, born 25 Nov., 1726; died 4 July, 1808; 
married Naomi Potter. 

3 Sarah, born 19 June, 1729; died 11 March, 1730—1, of “inflamation of 

the lungs.” 

4 John, born 2 Jan., 1731-2; died prior to 1765, s.p. He had gift of 
^ land from his father, 26 Aug., 1755. 1 

5 Sarah, married 23 Dec., 1770, at Warwick, John Wells. She was 

living in 1783. 

Children, born at Warwick: 

1. Charles Wells, born 6 Jan., 1772; married Rosannah Low. 

2. Rose Wells, born 10 Aug., 1773. 

3. Randall Wells, born 3 April, 1776. 

6 Frances, unmarried in 1783. 

7 Barbara, born 2 Aug., 1744; 2 died 20 March, 1814; 2 married 30 

Sept., 1770, John Greene, born 22 March, 1747, died March, 
1814, son of Richard and Sarah (Fry) Greene. 2 
Children : 3 

1. Richard Greene, born 16 May; died 18 May, 1771. 

2. Thomas Greene, born 20 July, 1772; died 9 Nov., 1778. 

3. John Malbone Greene, born 3 May, 1774; married Anne Greene. 

4. Sarah Greene, born 4 July, 1776; died 6 July, 1837, unmarried. 

5. Mary Greene, born 22 May, 1779; died 17 Feb., 1882, aged 

102 years; named in grandmother Holden’s will. 

The will of Randall Holden, yeoman, dated 23 Aug., 1765, was 
proved 15 March, 1766. To wife Rose, until remarriage, use of new 
end of the mansion house where we now dwell, and profits of one- 
half of estate; if she marries, her son Randall is to pay her £500 in 
full of all rights. She is to have negro Pegg, and two negro boys, 
Julius and Cato. Daughter Mary Holden, £600 and furniture. 
Daughter Sarah Holden, £1,000 and furniture. Daughter Frances 
Holden, furniture, and same to daughter Barbara Holden. Wife to 
have the black mare (valued in inventory at £340). Son Randall to 
pay all debts and legacies, and to have mansion house, farm, etc. 

1 Warwick Deeds, 8:379. 2 Gorton Genealogy. 3 Greene Family, also Gorton Genealogy. 

395 


396 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Inventory £9,836 old tenor, 1 including negro Saul at £700, Bristol 
£1200, Peggy, and one boy aged five years and one of eighteen 
months, together valued at £700. 

The will of Rose Holden, widow, dated 8 July, 1783, was proved 
1 Dec., 1789, at Warwick. To son Randall, one dollar. Daughter 
Sarah Wells. Daughter Frances Holden, negro Peggy, silver, etc. 
Daughter Barbara Greene, two silver spoons marked B. H. Grand¬ 
daughter Mary Greene. Residue of estate to above three daughters. 
John Wells, Frances Holden and Barbara Holden joint executors. 

In the Rhode Island census of 1774, Rose Holden is given as head 
of a family of herself and two females over sixteen years, and three 
negro slaves. 

Randall Holden “Jr.” appears as ensign, 1720-24, and at his 
marriage was so styled. He was lieutenant in 1725, captain of 1st 
Warwick company, May, 1726, major of 2d Providence County 
Regiment, 1731-2, and lieutenant-colonel, 1733-7. 

R83 Anthony ( Charles , Randall ), born 8 Dec., 1693, at Warwick; 
died 13 May, 1720, intestate; 2 married about 1716, Phebe Rhodes, 
born 30 Nov., 1698, at Warwick, died probably in Providence, 
daughter of John and Waite (Waterman) Rhodes. She married, 
second, Samuel Aborn of Providence, by whom she had children 
born between 1724 and 1740, Mary, Samuel, John, Phebe, Wait, 
James (married Hannah Westcott), Anthony, and Mercy Aborn. 
In 1738 Samuel and Phebe Aborn release right of dower in land sold 
by Christopher and Catherine Lippitt to their uncle John Holden, 
which was given to their “father Anthony Holden by will of our 
grandfather Charles Holden.” 3 Mrs. Phebe Aborn was living in 
1761. 

Child, recorded 3 May, 1733, on Warwick records: 

1 Catherine, born 30 Oct., 1717, at Warwick; died 4 May, 1807, at 

Cranston; married 2 Jan., 1736, Christopher Lippitt, born 29 

Nov., 1712, at Warwick, died 7 Dec., 1764, at Cranston, son of 

Moses and Amphillis (Ann Phillis) (Whipple) Lippitt. A sampler 

worked by her lias been preserved. 

Children: 4 

1. Anthony Lippitt, born 1738; died 23 Oct., 1751. 

2. Freelove Lippitt, married Olney Rice. 

3. Mary Lippitt, married Thomas Rice, brother of Olney. 

4. Christopher Lippitt, born 28 Oct., 1744; died 17 June, 1824; 

married 23 March, 1777, Waite Harris. Colonel of Rhode 
Island regiment serving with Washington during the Revolu 
tion, and from 1780 Brigadier-General of Rhode Island 
militia. 

5. Catherine Lippitt, married -Higginbottom. 

>A depreciated currency. 2 Warwick Probate. 

3 Warwick Deeds, 6:50. * A\ E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., 27:70. 



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397 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 

6. Warren Lippitt, died 30 Nov., 1751, aged 3 years. 

7. Phebe Lippitt, born 6 Dec., 1749; died 6 Dec., 1751. 

8. Moses Lippitt, born 10 Sept., 1751; died 15 Dec., 1784; married 

Anstis Holden, daughter of Charles Holden (R872), q.v. 

9. Charles Lippitt, born 2 March, 1754; died 17 Aug., 1845; married 

Penelope Low. Their son Henry was governor of Rhode 
Island and father of Charles Warren Lippitt, governor and 
United States Senator. 

10. Loudon Lippitt, born 17 April, 1756; died 18 Aug., 1841; married 

Nancy Remington. 

11. Waterman Lippitt, born 2 May, 1758. 

12. John Lippitt, born 14 Feb., 1763; died 19 July, 1830. He served 

in 1776 in his brother’s regiment, and was at battles of Trenton 
and Princeton. 

An inventory of the real and personal estate of Anthony Holden 
was presented to the Court at Warwick 6 June, 1720, by widow 
Phebe. 

Total value £774-3-7, including the following items: 


Due from Charles Holden for land sold him £160 

Due from Catherine Holden, in lieu of the house 

Anthony Holden built - 55 

95 acres given him by his father 260 

50 acres bought of Stephen Arnold 50 


Due to Wait Roades £44, also household effects to value of £69. 

The 95 acres were sold to John Holden for £800, and the widow 
obtained permission to sell the Arnold lot. 

Wait Rhodes was sister of Phebe; both daughters received a 
bequest of £30 under the will of their father John, who died in 1716. 
She married Abraham Sheldon in 1730. 

R85 Charles ( Charles , Randall ), known as “Elder Charles 
Holden,” born, it is said, 24 Sept., 1695, but his birth is not of record 
at Warwick; died in June, 1785, aged according to the death notice 
in the United States Chronicle , 89 years, 7 months, 15 days, and 
otherwise said to have been in his “nintieth year.” His will was 
proved 13 June, and as the Chronicle appeared the twentieth, 
it is likely his death occurred the ninth or tenth of June. He married, 
13 Dec., 1716, at Warwick, Penelope Bennett, daughter of John 
Bennett of Newport. 1 He married, second, 23 Jan., 1757, at War¬ 
wick, Hannah, widow of Elder Manasseh Martin. She died in her 
ninety-fourth year, at Warwick, in 1781 2 (19 June 3 ). 

Children, born at Warwick: 1 

1 Barbara, “eldest daughter”, born 13 Sept., 1717; married, 20 March, 
1735, at Warwick, Richard Wickes, born 23 Oct., 1712; died 


1 Warwick records. 

2 Providence Gazette, issue of 14 July. 


3 A 7 . E. Hist. Geneal. Reg., 27:70. 


398 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


26 July, 1738, at Warwick, son of John and Sarah Wicks. She 

married, second, 5 Oct, 1740, at Warwick, John Wells, of East 

Greenwich. Five of her seven children were named in their grand¬ 
father Holden’s will. 

Children, born at Warwick: 1 

1. Sarah Wickes, born 4 March, 1735-6; married John Low. 

2. Penelope Wells, born 18 June, 1741; married Oliver Greene. 

3. Mary Wells, born 12 June, 1743; not living 1782; probably d.y. 

4. Charles Wells, born 2 March, 1744-5; probably d.y. 

5. Barbara Wells, born 28 Jan., 1747; married John Low. 

6. Anstress Holden Wells, born 19 April, 1752; unmarried in 1782. 

7. John Holden Wells, born 12 Sept., 1755. 

2 Charles, born 3 April, 1719; died 25 Sept., 1719. 

3 Anthony, born 10 June, 1721; died 7 July, 1721. 

4 Charles, born 6 Jan., 1722-3; died “in his twentieth year, at 

Surinam” (Moses Brown Papers). 

5 John, born 18 May, 1724; died 1750; married Dorothy Rice. 

Elder Charles Llolden was described as a cooper in a deed of 1720, 
as a merchant in 1745, in 1752 as a mariner, in 1757 as captain, 
and in 1766 as yeoman. Charles Holden was ensign of the 1st com¬ 
pany of militia at Warwick, 1725, and justice of the peace in 1737 
and 1751. He was ordained pastor of the Baptist church at Warwick, 
16 June, 1757, then in his sixty-second year, and preached until 
infirmities prevented. In 1749 he was deputy to the General 
Court. 

He left a will dated 11 Jan., 1782, proved at Warwick, 13 June, 
1785. To his grandson Charles Holden he left his mansion house 
where “he late dwelt,” he to pay the testator's great-grandson 
Anthony Holden, $60 at his age of twenty-one years. To grand¬ 
daughter Barbara Amsbury one-half the value of the mansion house 
and homestead place. To daughter-in-law Dorothy Holden six 
bushels of corn yearly, as long as she remains his son’s widow. To 
grandson John Holden Wells, two acres, his writing desk, etc., and 
as he has long been absent, if he does not return then to his sisters 
Penelope Greene, Barbara Low and Anstis Wells. To his four 
grandchildren, Sarah Low, Penelope Greene, Barbara Low, and 
Anstess Wells remainder of estate not disposed of. Grandson Charles 
to be executor. He manumitted his negro woman, Dimmis, and 
gave to her her son Freeman 2 until he was twenty-one, his negro 
boy Prince, 2 and also his slaves Cato, 2 now living with John Greene, 
Dina, now apprenticed to John Batty, and Moroco, a girl, who is 
to be apprenticed until nineteen, all to be at his executor's disposal 
if they do not live prudently. The valuation of his personal estate 
was but £91. The negroes were not inventoried. 

1 Warwick records. 

2 Freeman, Cato and Prince adopted the name Holden, married and had families, some of whom con¬ 
tinued the name. 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


399 


An interleaved almanac of Samuel Tillinghast preserved in the 
library of the Rhode Island Historical Society contains under date 
of 23 Jan., 1757, the following entry: “Capt. Charles Holden to 
widow Martin. Very agreeable match, which is generally allowed 
by all.” 1 Also, “16 June, 1757, went to ordain Charles Holden.” 

In 1777 he was listed as an “able man” but over sixty. During 
the Revolution, for a brief period, on one of the alarms, his house 
was used as a billet for soldiers. 

R86 William ( Charles , Randall ), died later than February, 
1763, 2 at Warwick; married 30 April, 1721, at Warwick, “at knight”, 
Wait Holden, daughter of Randall Holden. She was not living in 
January, 1747-8, when her brother John Holden made his will, 
leaving his estate not otherwise disposed of, after the decease of his 
wife, to the children of his deceased sisters. 

Children, born at Warwick: 

1-1 Anthony, 3 born 25 Sept., 1722; died subsequent to 1776; married 

Elizabeth Rice. . 

2 Ann, born 10 March, 1723-4 ; 3 unmarried in 1750. 

3 Waite, born 21 Aug., 1726; d.y., prior to 1741. 

4 William, 3 born 30 Oct., 1728; married Hannah Carder. 

5 Catherine, born 12 Jan., 1729; living 1763, unmarried. 

6 Frances, 3 born 25 Jan., 1733 ; 3 died prior to 1750. 

7 Carder, born 31 Aug., 1736; died prior to 1750. 

8 Mary, 3 born 2 May, 1740; married, as “daughter of William,” 2 Jan., 

1777, at East Greenwich, David Hall, born 1 Oct., 1745, at East 

Greenwich, died there 26 Oct., 1777, son of Abial and Mary Hall. 

Child: 

1. Mary Hall, born 13 Dec., 1777, at East Greenwich. 

9 Waite, born 20 Dec., 1741 (she may have married Charles Holden, 

Jr., otherwise he married her cousin Waite Rice). 

In 1763, John Low, Jr., purchased of Anthony Holden three- 
seventeenths, and of Anthony Low, Jr., Mary Potter, widow [who 
were children of Frances (Holden) Low], William Holden, Jr., 
Catherine and Mary Holden, spinsters [who were children of Waite 
(Holden) Holden], Jeremiah Webb and wife Freelove (Rice), 
Dorothy Holden, widow, Mary Greene, widow, John Lippitt and 
Bethia (Rice) his wife, Holden Rice (two shares), Frances Graves, 
Roel Remington and Robe (Rice) his wife [children of Mary (Holden) 
Rice], and of Charles Holden, Jr., and Waite his wife, fourteen- 
seventeenths, of the mansion house in occupancy of Josiah West- 
cott, and certain lands. This was evidently the share in his estate 
left them by their uncle John Holden, after his wife’s decease. 

1 See Narragansett Ilist. Reg., 4:38. 

2 Warwick records. • . 

3 These are the only children mentioned by Moses Brown. These and Catherine are named in the deed 

given by Hannah, widow of John Holden, 1750. 


400 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Anthony Holden had purchased two shares, but from whom is 
not evident. His sisters, Ann and Frances may have sold him 
their shares but it is doubtful if Frances was living. William 
Holden of this deed being styled “junior'’ is evidence that his 
father was still living. He was certainly living in 1752. William 
Holden was justice of the peace, May 1735-37, Justice of the 
Inferior Court of Providence County, May 1741-46, inclusive. He 
is not given in census of 1790. 


R87 John ( Charles , Randall ), born 1700, at Warwick; died 
there November, 1800, “in his hundredth year’’, 1 “without pain or 
distress, and had enjoyed perfect health past fifty-five years”; 2 
married, Deliverance Greene, born 12 Feb., 1700-1, died ( s.p .) 
daughter of James and Mary (Jones) Greene. He married, second, 6 
Jan., 1731-2, at Warwick, Hannah Fry, born 31 March, 1702, 
daughter of Thomas and Welthian (Greene) Fry of Warwick. 

Children, born at Warwick: 3 

1 Welthian, born 24 Dec., 1733; living in 1782; married Caleb 
Potter, probably son of John and Phebe Potter, born 30 Oct., 
1725, whose sister Naomi married Captain Randall Holden. If so 
she was his second wife. 

2-2 Charles, born 2 June, 1737; died 17 Nov., 1817, at Coventry; married 
Wait Rice; (2) Mary (Greene) Gorton. 

3 Deliverance, born 28 Sept., 1738; died 3 Feb., 1823, at Warwick, 4 
unmarried. She lived with her brother, General Thomas Holden, 
who acted as her guardian after her father’s death. 

4-4 Thomas, born 7 June, 1741; died 22 Feb., 1823; married Freelove; 
(2) Mercy (Gorton) Wightman. 

The will of John Holden, Esquire, dated 28 May, 1782, was proved 
at Warwick, 25 Nov., 1800. The testator was “in a reasonable state 
of health.” To his son Charles ninety acres of the homestead in 
Warwick, that part known as Wequatecheconet Farm, off the west 
end of it, and extending westerly by the river, land lately given him 
by deed. To son Thomas the mansion house where I dwell, with 
remaining part of homestead, one hundred and thirty acres. Daughter 
Deliverance to have the privilege of the house, a large silver cup, 
and silver teaspoons which were her Aunt Ruth Frye’s. If she 
remain in disorder, my executor to be her guardian. Daughter 
Welthian, wife of Caleb Potter. 

John Holden “son of Charles” was admitted freeman 1723. He 
was executor to his mother’s will in 1756. He was a justice of the 
peace for Warwick, May, 1746, June, 1748, fifth justice of the Inferior 
Court of Common Pleas for Kent County, August, 1752-1757, and 

1 Providence Gazette of 22 November. 2 United States Chronicle, 28 November. 

3 Warwick records. * Providence Gazette. 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


401 


third justice 1760-62. In May, 1768 he appears as Chief Justice 
for Kent County. The Census of 1790 gives John Holden of Warwick 
as head of a family of two males over sixteen years and two females. 

He was commonly known as “Esquire.” In the Census of 1777, 
he is listed as over sixty years. 


FOURTH GENERATION 


t 





R642 Captain Randall {Randall, Randall , Randall ), born 25 
Nov., 1726, at Warwick; died there 4 July, 1808, “suddenly, in his 
82d year”; 1 married 14 Jan., 1749, at Providence, Naomi Potter, 2 
born 18 May, 1729, died 17 Jan., 1806, daughter of John and Phebe 
(Greene) Potter. 3 She was sister to Caleb Potter. 

Children : 4 

1- 1 Anthony, born 22 Feb., 1751; died 3 May, 1838; married Sarah 

Warner. 

2- 2 John, born 21 Dec., 1752; 5 died 19 Feb., 1826; married Abigail 

Harris. 

3- 3 Randall, born 18 July, 1754 {g.s.)\ died 21 July, 1796; married 

Elizabeth Warner. 

4 Naomi, died unmarried; will proved 9 Oct., 1837. Lived in Warwick 

in her father’s house. 

5 Phebe, married Bennett Low, who died 7 Jan., 1853, aged 87 years, 

11 months, 27 days (Warwick Records). His will dated 22 Nov., 
1852, proved 14 March, 1853, left his estate to his wife Sally, and 
after her death to his nephews and nieces, named both his own and 
his wife’s, among them Randall and John Holden, and Frances 
Stafford. John Holden and Charles Lippitt, nephews, were to have 
his mansion house and land at Warwick Neck. 

6 Ruth, married - Derbyshire. She was of Otsego, N. Y., 

August, 1818, when she joined in a deed with other heirs of Randall 
Holden. 

7 Sally, born June, 1762; died 11 Feb., 1793, aged 30 years, 8 months 

{g.s.) \ married Captain Richard Low who died November, 1795, 
in his fortieth year. The Providence Gazelle said of him, “He was 
the first son of Rhode Island that explored the high Southern 
Altitudes and made several voyages to the East Indies.” His 
gravestone, part of which is still standing at Spencer’s Corner, 
reads “Eminent Navigator (He) was the first citizen of this state 
who explored [—] and Indies and Chinese Seas to Canton. ” 

8 Waite, died at Warwick; will proved 14 Oct., 1833. She lived with 

her sister Naomi. They made identical wills 25 Sept., 1830, leaving 
estate to sister, and to sister Elizabeth Low and her children, and 
to nephew Joseph Holden Low, their right in house and lands of 
deceased father, which was his last residence. They are probably 
buried in unmarked graves in the family burial ground. 

1 Providence Gazette. 2 Providence Marriages. 

s Potter Genealogy. The wife of John Potter is given as Phebe Arnold in Gorton Genealogy. In the marriage 
record Randall is described as “Junior.” 

4 All but Randall and Sally, both known to have died, and Joseph, join in a deed of 24 Aug., 1818. (War¬ 
wick Deeds, 17:710.) 

6 Providence Friends Records. 


402 



DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


403 


9 Stephen, born 25 May, 1766, at Warwick; died 27 Jan., 1841, at 

Hartwich, N. Y.; married Sallmaplet Lippitt. 

J-10 Thomas, born 1768; died 2 Dec., 1844; married Sally Low; (2) 

Esther Manton; (3) Sarah (Gorton) Arnold. 

11 Elizabeth, married 2 April, 1797, Captain Samuel Low, 1 son of 

Judge Anthony (R67-1) and Sarah (Stafford) Low. 2 ' 

Children, the daughters named in wills of uncle Bennet Low and 
of aunts Naomi and Waite Holden: 

1. Sallie Holden Low, born 14 Nov., 1797, at Warwick. 

2. Phebe Ann Low, born 5 May, 1801, at Warwick; married- 

Arnold. 

3. Joseph Holden Low, born 12 July, 1802; married Mary Ann 

Greene. He is named in the wills of his aunts. 

4. Elizabeth Low. 

5. Naomi Potter Low. 

6. Abby Low. 

12 (?) Joseph. (Family records; 1 but he does not appear as grantor with 

other heirs. Probably he was the Joseph Holden of Scituate, 

listed in the census of 1777, as an able man between sixteen and 

fifty years of age. If so, born earlier than 1760.) 

In 1808, and 1809, all the surviving children and children of 
deceased son Randall, join in deeds conveying land to the eldest 
son Anthony, but reserving rights in the family burial ground. 
Other deeds pass between some of the children in 1814. 

Anthony and Thomas Holden had administration on “Captain 
Randall Holden’s” estate 19 Jan., 1809. Inventory 17 May, 1808, 
disclosed a silver-hilted small sword. He was captain of a militia 
company during the years of the Revolution, but no record of active 
service is found. 

In 1790 the census listed Randall Holden of Warwick as having 
in his family three males over sixteen years, one male under sixteen, 
and seven females. The Rhode Island census of 1774, listed four 
males over sixteen, three under sixteen, four females over sixteen, 
three under sixteen, and a negro, as composing his household. In 1777 
he was listed as an “able” man, and between the years fifty and sixty. 

The family burial ground is on the shore of a little cove running 
up to Spencer’s Corner from Warwick Cove. It looks toward the 
bay, and was taken from a part of the meadow. No longer protected 
by a fence, though remains are to be seen, many of the stones fallen 
and a few broken, there are perhaps thirty graves in the lot, including 
descendants in the Pierce, Holden, and Greene families. Several 
graves are marked only by field stones, and here may rest some of the 
earlier generations. Doubtless, if the ground was spaded up other 
stones might come to light. The burial ground is now part of the 
farm of William M. Greene. 


1 Warwick records. 


2 Gorton Genealogy. 



404 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


R855 John ( Charles, Charles, Randall), born 18 May, 1724, at 
Warwick; died probably in 1750, as appraisers of his estate were 
appointed 7 March, 1750-1, and widow Dorothy presented inventory 
of estate at the Warwick Probate Court, 8 April, 1751; married 
5 August, 1744, at Warwick, Dorothy Rice, born 30 Oct., 1723, 
at Warwick, died there 27 May, 1789, aged 67, 1 daughter of 
Captain Thomas and Mary (Holden) Rice. 

Children: 

1-1 Charles, born 1746, died 21 March, 1812; married Sarah Remington 
of Providence, tailor: 

2 (?) Penelope, 2 born about 1748. 

3 (?) Mary, 2 born about 1750; “Mary daughter of John Holden 

and William son of Anthony Rhodes, married 18 Aug., 1765, at 
Warwick.” 

4 Barbara, born 1751; died 4 Feb., 1786, in thirty sixth year; 3 married 

John Amsbury, or as better known, Ormsbee, died 18 Jan., 1787, 
in thirty-second year. 4 They had a son John Holden Ormsbee. 

Captain John Holden, mariner, may have died at sea. 25 Oct., 
1745, described as “mariner” he received, from his father Charles 
Holden of Warwick “merchant”, a gift of one-half his farm at 
Waquachabuet, bounding north on the Pawtuxet River, east on 
William Holden, south on William Rice and west on Thomas Rice. 5 

His inventory disclosed navigator's books and instruments valued 
at £15, silver, pistols, one-quarter of sloop Warwick, an Indian girl 
valued at £180, cash £217, and “in his hands for goods sold” £846. 
A total of £2334. 

The widow Dorothy was living in 1782, and is taken care of in her 
father-in-law's will of that date, who made his grandson Charles his 
executor, and gave to him and “grand daughter” Barbara Amsbury, 
his mansion house and home place. See under Elder Charles Holden. 

R861 Anthony ( William , Charles, Randall) of Warwick and 
East Greenwich, born 25 Sept., 1722, at Warwick; living 1785; 
married 25 Dec., 1769, at Warwick, Elizabeth Rice, born 18 Oct., 
1734, at Warwick, daughter of William (“deceased”) and Phebe 
(Tripp) Rice. 

Children: 

1-1 (?) Anthony. 

2 (?) Henry, of Apponaug, merchant, 1786. 

3 (?) John, of Apponaug, merchant, 1786. [It is thought the marriage 

with Elizabeth Rice was a second marriage, and that sons were 
born 1745-1760, whose names are not on the town records.] Both 

1 United States Chronicle. 

* These daughters appear in the Greene Family, but may be a duplication of names in the family of 
Charles, R85. Certainly it was the elder Penelope who married Oliver Greene. Neither of these supposed 
daughters are named in the grandfather’s will. 

1 Providence Gazette. 4 Providence records and United States Chronicle. 

6 Warwick Deeds, 7:226. 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


405 


John and Henry were living at Apponaug in 1793, as shown by 
deeds on record at East Greenwich. 

In September, 17/0, Anthony Holden was “ gaol keeper” of the 
County Jail at East Greenwich. That year he sold land purchased 
at Apponaug the preceding year. His wife Elizabeth released 
dower. 10 March, 1757, he purchased for £900, a part of the home¬ 
stead farm from his father and 23 Dec., 1773, he bought a house 
and lot adjoining the jail in East Greenwich. 1 29 Aug., 1769, William 
Holden, Jr., conveys to Anthony Holden of Warwick, schoolmaster, 
one-half his dwelling house in Warwick. 1 Moses Brown relates of 
him that he had lost an arm shot off on a British man of war in 
1746. He was a member of the crew of the warship Warwick in 
1747-8, and lost an arm during an engagement with the Spanish 
forts at Havana. 2 This accounts for his being listed as “unable” 
in 1777. He was then between ”50 and 60 years.” His name is 
not in the census of 1810. The Census of 1790 shows at East 
Greenwich, Anthony Holden as head of family of two women. It is 
quite probable this is the son. 

R864 William ( William , Charles , Randall ), born 30 Oct., 1728; 
died between 1790 and 1810; married 20 June, 1773, by Elder Charles 
Holden, at Warwick, Hannah Carder, born 13 July, 1742, at 
Warwick, daughter of James and Sarah Carder. In the marriage 
record he is described as William, son of William. 

Children, born at Warwick: 3 

1 Sarah, born 4 May, 1774. 

2 William Anthony, born 10 March, 1777; died 24 April, 1854 ; 3 

married 5 June, 1803, at Warwick, Elizabeth Baker, daughter 
of Thomas Baker; married, second, 8 June, 1817, at Warwick, 
Celinda Williams. Will of William Holden of Warwick, 6 Feb., 
1821, proved 10 July, 1854. All to wife Celinda. 

William Holden was owner of a grist mill in Natick on south side 
of Pawtuxet River, near the “iron bridge.” In 1771 he had per¬ 
mission from the General Assembly to raise £50 by lottery to repair 
his dam washed away the previous winter. In his petition he 
states that he had had “illness in his family.” His son, William 
A., was one of the large owners of land in Natick and lived in a 
house near Indigo Brook. He was a public-spirited man. 

In the census of 1777, he is described as “William Holden, Jr.,” 
and an able man under fifty. He was probably the William who 
appears on the roll of Captain John Randall’s company, Waterman’s 
Regiment, called on to guard Warwick Bay fifteen days, from 4 April 
1778. 4 In the census of 1790, Warwick, his family consisted of one 


1 Warwick Deeds, 10:179; 9:235. 
* Warwick records 


2 See Chapin: List of Rhode Island Men in King George's War. 
4 Pay abstract, State records. 


40G 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


male over sixteen, one male under sixteen, and two females, which 
agrees with the above record. In 1766 he had a deed for land from 
his father. 

R872 Charles (Jo/m, Charles , Randall ), born 2 June, 1737, 
at Warwick; died 16 Nov., 1817, in his eighty-first year (g.s. at 
East Greenwich); 1 married prior to 1755, Waite Rice, born April, 
1738, daughter of Thomas and Alary (Holden) Rice. He married, 
second, 22 Sept., 1785, at Coventry, Mary (Greene) Gorton, 
born 1 Dec., 1737, died Nov., 1799, in her sixty-second year, 2 daughter 
of Jabez and Alary (Gould) Greene and widow of Alajor Edward 
Gorton, Jr. 3 The gravestones of this family were moved from 
Washington Village in Coventry to the cemetery in East Greenwich. 
The graves were not otherwise disturbed. 

Children (not of record on town records): 

1-1 Anthony, born 17 Aug., 1754 (as given in the family Bible); died 29 
April, 1805 “in 51st year”; gravestone at East Greenwich; married 
Alice Searle. His age is also given in death notice in the papers 
of the day as fifty-one. 

2 Anstiss, born 1756; died 27 Nov., 1804; 4 married 8 Jan., 1775, AIoses 
Lippitt, born 10 Sept., 1751, died 15 Dec., 1844, son of Christopher 
and Catherine (Holden) Lippitt. They removed to Killingly, 
Conn. AIoses Lippitt received a pension for services in the 
Revolution. See R83-18. 

Children: 5 

1. Phebe Lippitt, born 1776; died 1804. 

2. Betsy Lippitt, born 1777; died 1808. 

3. Waite Lippitt, born 1779; died 1796. 

4. Alary Lippitt, born 1780; died 1855; marrid Samuel Greene. 

5. Susan Lippitt, born 1782; died 11 Aug., 1840; married 27 Oct., 

1808, Daniel Dwight, born 24 Alay, 1780, son of Captain 
William and Sarah (Elliott) Dwight. 

6. Nathaniel Lippitt, born 1784; married Rebecca Bartlett; 

(2) Persis P. Phipps. 

7. Catherine Lippitt, born 1786; died 1817; marriedRoBERT Arnold. 

8. Anna Lippitt, born 1788; died 1833; married Zurial P. Arnold. 

9. Anstis Lippitt, born 1790; died 1815; married Freeman Cady. 

10. Hannah Holden Lippitt, born 1792; died 1838; married Zurial 

P. Arnold. 

11. Edward Lippitt, born 1793; died 1858; married Lois Spalding. 

12. Freelove Lippitt, born 1795; died 1796. 

13. Harriet Lippitt, born 1797; died 1866; married Lois (sic) Spalding. 
3-3 John, 6 born 1757; Revolutionary soldier and pensioner. 

4 Joseph Warren, born 1774; died June, 1795, in twenty-first year. 7 

1 Died 17 November, Providence Gazette. 2 Providence Gazette, 30 November. 

3 Gorton Genealogy. 4 Bates Ms., Rhode Island Hist. Soc. 

5 Lippitt Genealogy in Mss., N. E. Hist. Geneal. Soc. 

6 John is described as “son of Charles.” at the time he was commissioned. 

7 United States Chronicle of 2 July. 


407 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


5 Waity, born 1/77; died 15 Nov., 1791, in her fifteenth year, at 
Warwick, daughter of Charles, Esq. 1 


(Note, ihe birth of children as early as 1755 and 1756 presupposes 
marriage at a very early age of Charles, but there appears no other 
explanation. His wife was Waite in February, 1763, at which time 
he was styled Charles, Junior. See Warwick Deeds, 9:346, when 
he joins other heirs, in behalf of his w T ife, in conveying lands formerly 
John Holden s to John Low. There were doubtless other children 
born between 1756 and 1/74, all of wdiom died in infancy, as the 
census of 1790 enumerates in his family, besides himself, but one 
male, who was under sixteen, and two females. His son Anthony 
was already head of a family.) 

Charles Holden w r as of Cranston. He left a will dated 23 Sept., 
1815, the day after his daughter-in-law, Alice, widow of his son 
Anthony, made her will, and his will was proved at Coventry, 27 Dec., 
1817. 2 He named grandson Joseph Warren Holden, son of deceased 
son Anthony, and grandchildren, Alice Holden, Maria Holden, and 
Martha, wife of Thomas Whipple. The last named he made executor. 

In a conveyance of January, 1798, by Anthony Holden of nine 
acres in Warwdck to Anthony Rice, not only does his wife Alice 
release her dower, but Mary, wife of Charles Holden, Esq., and 
Sarah, wife of Charles Holden of Providence, tailor, release their 
dowser rights. See under Charles Holden, third. 

Charles Holden was sheriff of Kent County in 1768 and 1769. 
He seems to have been of Warwick as late as 1785, but in 1790 of 
Coventry. In 1786 land belonging to him was sold at public auction 
to satisfy an execution. His son Anthony was the purchaser. 3 

The Rhode Island census of 1774 lists under Warwick, Charles 
Holden, Jr., as having a family of fourteen, viz., self and two other 
males over sixteen years, three males under sixteen years, two females 
over, and three females under sixteen years, and two negro slaves. 
At that time there was living in Warwick only one other Charles, 
the well-known Elder, who was head of a family; and at Providence, 
Charles Holden, the tailor, the relationship of which to each other 
appears to be as follows: Elder Charles, grandfather of Charles the 
tailor, and uncle of Charles, Esquire. The last named was described 
as Junior and Esquire, and was listed in 1777 as under fifty and an 
“able” man. 

Charles Holden, Jr., 4 was deputy to the General Assembly 
which in May, 1776, abjured allegiance to King George. He also 
appears as captain of the Independent Company of Grenadiers, and 
is described as “of Warwick,” and on the 5 May, 1778, his name 
appears on a receipt as of Greene’s regiment, in Sullivan’s com- 


i United States Chronicle. 
3 Deeds: 12:89. 


2 Probate, 2:528. 

4 Junior to his uncle, Elder Charles. 


408 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


mand, and with the title of colonel. This is perhaps a misreading 
by the clerk who abstracted the references. 1 His residence, built by 
him in Coventry, is still standing. 

R874 General Thomas (Jo/m, Charles , Randall ), born at 
Warwick, 7 June (17 June, g.s.), 1741; died at Warwick, 22 February 
( g.s .) (12 February, in 82d year 2 ) 1823. He was buried in the Holden 
burial ground at Natick, but no stone remaining, his descendant, 
Miss Anna F. Holden of East Greenwich, erected a stone in the 
East Greenwich Cemetery, North Road, East Greenwich. 

He married, first, Freelove, who was living in 1770, 3 the mother 
of all of his children, but her death is not of record. 

He married, second, 9 June, 1793, at Warwick, Mercy, daughter 
of Honorable Othniel and Theodosia (Hopkins) Gorton, and widow 
of Philip Wightman. His estate was administered upon by George 
Taft, husband of her daughter Betsy, and was distributed 12 May, 
1828. Joseph Nichols married her daughter Theodosia. 

Children, born at Warwick: 

1-1 Thomas, 4 born 29 Oct., 1758; died 18 Feb., 1837; married Phebe 

Burlingame. 

2 Hannah, born 10 May, 1762; married- Remington. 6 

3 John, born 16 Jan., 1764. 

4- 4 Edward, twin with John; died 4 May, 1834; married Sarah 

Burlingame. 

5- 5 Oliver, born 30 March, 1766; died 22 Sept., 1855, at Poughkeepsie; 

married Zilpha Dexter; (2) Mary Hall. 

6 Catherine, born 14 May, 1768; married Charles Low. 5 

7 Ruth, born 22 Feb., 1770; died 21 July, 1819, 6 4 July, 1848; 7 married 

24 Sept., 1798, Captain Godfrey Greene, a ship-master, born 

24 May, 1768, died 28 July, 1801, at sea, son of Godfrey Greene. 

She married, second, 13 May, 1804, Stephen Low, Jr., born 1775, 

died 3 Dec., 1810, son of Stephen and Susanna (Hadaway) Low. 

Children, as given in the Greene and Gorton Genealogies: 

1. Freelove Greene, born 10 June, 1799; married William Masters. 

2. Amey Godfrey Greene, born 27 Nov., 1801; died 1835, unmarried, 

at Providence. 

3. Anteliza Low, born 23 Dec., 1805, at Warwick. She joined with 

her uncle Oliver Holden in selling his half the homestead, 1806. 

^ee Military Index, State Record Commissioner’s Office. 2 Providence Gazette. 

3 Warwick Deeds, 10:229. She was long supposed to be Freelove Barton; but Freelove, daughter of 
Rowland Barton, died unmarried. 

* The family register does not mentmn such a son; but only one Thomas, the General, is enumerated 
in 1777. The younger Thomas lived in Adams, where daughters of General Thomas lived. Edward 
Holden, son of General Thomas, also lived in Adams. A discarded Bible was found by William B. 
Browne of North Adams, which contained the record of his family. Descendants of Oliver, son of the 
General, claim the latter’s service as captain in the army investing Boston. This is confirmatory of the 
fact that Thomas, Jr., and Oliver were brothers. That the General should have had a son at the age 
of seventeen hardly seems credible, but such appears to be the only explanation. Descendants of John 
Holden have a rapier which is said to be that of General Thomas. His brother Charles Holden, who 
held a prominent place in the county, was married at seventeen years of age. The marriage of 
neither Charles nor Thomas is of record. Captain Thomas Holden of Warwick Neck, later of Provi¬ 
dence, was born in 1768, and was son of Randall (R642). 

6 Information of George Parker Holden. 6 Greene Genealogy. 2 Gorton Genealogy. 



409 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 

4. Hope Ann Low, born 20 Jan., 1807. 

5. Lyman P. Low, born 2 March, 1808; married Margaret Brown; 

(2) Harriet Hunt. 

8-8 William, born 8 March, 1772; died 20 Feb., 1825; married Thebe 
Nichols. 1 

9 Freelove, born 8 Jan., 1775; died Jan., 1812, at Adams, Mass., 
in thirty-seventh year; 2 married 24 Dec., 1795, at Warwick, Harris 
Arnold, Jr. 3 

Children, born at Warwick: 

1. Holden Arnold, born 15 May, 1797; died 10 Oct., 1798. 

2. Almy Arnold, born 5 July, 1799. 

3. Oliver Arnold, born 18 Oct., 1801. 

4. Harvey Arnold, born 16 June, 1806; died 4 Sept., 1876; married 

23 April, 1829, Sarah Ann Hodges, who died 6 June, 1876, 
at Adams. 

Mary, born 22 Jan., 1/77; married 25 May, 1797, at Coventry, 
John Remington. 

Children: 

1. Hannah Remington, born 20 May, 1798. 

2. Freelove Remington, born 26 Feb., 1800. 

3. Otis Remington, born 20 May, 1802. 

4. Mary Remington, born 29 March, 1804. 

5. Oliver Remington, born 15 June, 1806. 

6. Mercey Remington, born 18 Aug., 1808. 

7. George Thomas Remington, born 9 Jan., 1811. 

8. Dewitt Clinton Remington, born 7 Jan., 1813. 

llf| Elizabeth, born 1 June, 1780; married 29 Sept., 1799, at Coventry, 
James Remington, brother of John above. 

Children: 

1. Holden Remington, born 13 Feb., 1802; died 30 June, 1804. 

2. Catherine Remington, born 4 Nov., 1803. 

3. Daniel Remington, born 7 June, 1806. 

4. Caroline Matilda Remington, born 25 June, 1808. 

12 Welthian, born 3 Aug., 1782; died 5 July, 1813, at Adams, Mass., 

in her thirty-second year; 4 married 12 Sept., 1801, at Warwick, 
Daniel Arnold. 

13 Susan Archer, born 30 April, 1785; died s. p.\ h married Charles 

Stewart. 5 


The census of 1790 enumerated the family of Thomas Holden of 
Warwick as consisting of three males over sixteen years of age, 
one under sixteen, and nine females. It would appear from this that 
his wife was then living and that all of his daughters were living, and 
at home. Edward, although married, was not separately enumerated 
and had a son at that time under sixteen. Oliver was numbered in 
Providence, and William had not then married. Probably both 


1 She may have been widow of-— Weaver. 

2 Providence Gazette, where slie is called wife of Thomas Arnold 

sShe is said to have married Sylvester Potter ( Letter of Geo. P. Holden.), but see Hodges Genealogy. 
4 Providence Phenix. 6 Information of George P. Holden. 



410 


THE HOLDEN GENEALOGY 


Edward and William were living at the homestead, and it may have 
been Edw r ard’s wife, rather than her mother-in-law, who made the 
ninth woman in the family. 

General Thomas Holden left a will dated 14 Oct., 1820, proved 
10 March, 1823. The testator avowed he was “in a tolerable state 
of health.” He stated he had given his own estate to his children, 
and hence was disposing of the estate brought by his second wife. 
Thomas Holden Taft, his principal legatee, was son of George Taft. 
Other legatees were children of Theodora, wife pf Daniel Nichols, 
and their parents. His own children are not mentioned by name. 
Charles Brayton was administrator, and the inventory of personal 
estate was small. 

He had received from his father, as a gift, land in Warwick, part 
of which became his homestead. In 1770, 19 May, describing himself 
as “yeoman,” he conveyed part of this land to Thomas and Joseph 
Baker of Cranston, retaining the westerly portion. His wife, Freelove, 
joined in this deed. 1 In 1793 he deeded land adjoining the above to 
his son Edward of Warwick, and 5 Sept., 1806, he deeded one-half of 
his homestead to his son Oliver, who immediately gave a life lease 
back and, in 1827 joining with Anteliza Low, deeded this part of 
the homestead, about one hundred fifty acres, to William Sprague 
of Cranston. 

Thomas Holden was commissioned captain in the regiment com¬ 
manded by Colonel Varnum, April, 1775 and served with the Army of 
Observation and Rhode Island Continental Line for eight months in 
1775. 2 On the 18 Oct., 1845, Nathan Miller of Warwick made affidavit 
that he was well acquainted with Captain Thomas Holden in Colonel 
Yarnum's regiment. Pardon Burlingame of Cranston in August, 
1845, gave affidavit that he served eight months in the company 
of Captain Thomas Holden in Varnum’s regiment, 1775, and that 
Holden was of Warwick, whence came many of his men, and that 
he took his son Thomas Holden as a “waiter.” 

In the return of the 12th Regiment of Foot dated Prospect Hill, 
19 Sept., 1775, the name of Thomas Holden appears as senior cap¬ 
tain, and he is recommended for promotion as major. 3 

On 24 April, 1776, the Kentish Guards, an independent military 
company of Warwick and Kent county, which had been largely 
represented in Varnum’s regiment, elected Thomas Holden as second 
lieutenant. This was probably Thomas Holden, Jr. He declined, 
although the election was approved by the General Assembly. 

Although Captain Thomas Holden does not appear to have been 
promoted major, he was appointed quartermaster of brigade of State 
troops raised in October, 1776. He was elected 15 April, 1778, as 

1 Warwick Deeds, 10:229. 

2 Pension declaration of his son Thomas, who served as his “waiter.” 

3 Rhode Island regimental returns printed in “ Israel Angell,” page 338. 


DESCENDANTS OF RANDALL HOLDEN 


411 


captain of the Warwick Alarm Company. He next appears as colonel 
of the 1st regiment of Kent Militia, commissioned May, 1778, and 
was in active service with his regiment from June 12 to 23, 1778, 
being stationed at East Greenwich, and in July and August of the 
same year in the Newport campaign. He was continued as colonel 
in 1779 and 1780, and in June, 1779, was also commissioned as 
brigadier-general of the Kent County brigade, which rank he held 
until 1790, when he was elected major-general of militia. In October, 
1781, he was paid by the town for services in March, and from June 
to October inclusive, and the following June for services in calling 
troops on an alarm from Newport and Tiverton. He served several 
terms as deputy in the General Assembly from Warwick, was member 
of the Council of War in 1781, and in May, 1788 and in 1789 was 
regularly elected delegate to the Continental Congress from Rhode 
Island, but does not appear to have taken his seat. He was appointed 
judge of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island May, 1800. 1 


i Rhode Island Colonial and State records; Civil and Military Officers; and Military Index in office 
of State Record Commissioner. 





APPENDIX 

SERVICE RECORDS 

Service records of’"persons bearing the name Holden, Holding, etc., who served 
in the military or naval forces of the American colonies prior to and during the War 
of Independence, so far as discovered. Where identification is certain or probable 
the reference is to the page where the extended record may be found. Otherwise the 
record is given below the name. 


COLONIAL WARS 

Including the Indian, French and Spanish Wars 


An asterisk indicates also service in the American Revolution. References 
within parentheses are to individuals; the folio follows. For other than New England 
no attempt is made to give full service records. Unless otherwise stated the State 
is Massachusetts. 


Page 

Aaron, * Barre (1229) . 

Abner, Westminster (265) . 

Amos, Groton (1925) 

Anthony, East Greenwich, Conn., 

(R861) ...... 

Asa, Shirley (1947) .... 

Benjamin, Dedham (199) . 

Benjamin, Framingham (1631) 

Alarm List, 1757. 

Benjamin*, Dedham and Princeton 

(1991).199 

Benjamin, Windham, Conn. (124-5) 100 
Enlisted 14 April, discharged 19 Oct., 
1755, company commanded by Cap¬ 
tain Ezekiel Pierce, 1st Conn. Regt. 
Enlisted 3 April, 1756 and served 
until 2 Dec., 1756, in company com¬ 
manded by Captain Parsons, Colonel 
Phineas Lyman’s (2d Conn.) regi¬ 
ment. Also in company of Captain 
Eleazer Fitch, 1757 (or 1756?). 


149 

141 

168 

405 

187 

128 

154 


Charles, Warwick, R. I. (R8) . . 393 

Local military company. 

Charles, Groton (193-2) . . • 115 


Daniel, Rutland (1223) 
Daniel, Concord (2225) 
David, Groton (192J) 


144 

213 

174 


Ebenezer, Granville (124) . 


101 


Francis*, Shirley, W estminster, "S t., 
(19312).. 308 

James, Worcester (122) . . • • 98 

James, Worcester (1222) ... 142 


Page 

James, Boxford (163-2) . . . 102 

James, Boston 

Enlisted 14 April, 1758, in company 
commanded by Captain Joseph Bill¬ 
ings, Colonel Joseph Williams’ regi¬ 
ment raised for reduction of Canada; 
discharged 23 Nov., 1758: born in 
“old England,” and aged 25 years. 
(Mass. Archives, 96: 102; 402.) 
Jeduthan*, Rutland (12231) . . 235 

Job, Wallingford, Conn. . . . 255 

Drafted 1762, but did not join com¬ 
mand. 

John, Woburn (18).76 


Ensign in foot company. 

John, Woburn (184) .... 107 

John, Groton (192-2) . . . . 113 

John, Groton (l92).114 

John, Concord (221) . . . .130 

John*, Glastonbury, Conn. (2212) . 211 

John*, Mendon (12221) . . . 233 

Jonathan, Groton (198) . . . 126 

Jonathan, Groton (l966) . . . 195 

Jonathan, Glastonbury, Conn., 

( 9 , 014 ,) 212 

Jonas, Sudbury (22J) ! ! ! ! 132 

Joseph, Westminster (26-1) . . 90 

Joseph, Westminster 26) . . 92, 93 

Joshua*, Ashburnham (1963) . . 192 

Josiah, Concord (226) . . . 132 

Josiah*, Barre, Rutland (1225) . 145 

Justinian, Woburn (12) . . . 63 

Justinian, Harvard (234) . . . 135 

Isaac, Cambridge (23) .... 90 

Isaac*, Townsend (194-3) . . . 118 

Isaac, Watertown (231) . . . 133 


413 





414 


APPENDIX 


Page 

Isaac*, (2341). 225 

Harvard, Ashburnham, St. Albans, Vt. 


Nathan, Stoneham (163-5) 

. 103 

Nathaniel, Cambridge (1974) 

. 196 

Nehemiah, Shirley (1927) . 

. 170 

Parker, Concord (226-2) 

. 132 

Peter, Concord (223) . 

. 131 

Randall, Warwick, R. I. (R64) 

. 396 

Local military company. 


Richard, Groton (1) 

36 


Local trainband commanded by 
Captain James Parker 
Richard*, Charlestown, N. II. (1965) 194 
Robert*, Templeton (1981) . . 198 

Samuel, Concord (2227) 

Alarm list of Captain John Minot, 
12 April, 1757 (Mass. Archives, 95; 
307) 

Samuel, New Hampshire 

Enlisted 1 May, 1756, discharged 13 
Oct., 1756, in company commanded 
by Captain Ezekiel Worthen, Colonel 
Nathaniel Messerve’s regiment, expe¬ 
dition against Crown Point. 

Simon, Charlestown (197) . . 125 

Simon*, Shirley (1937) . . . . 181 

Stephen, Shirley (1931) . . . 178 

Stephen, Westminster, Vt. (19313) 310 

Stephen, Westminster (262) . . 135 


Page 

Stephen, Groton (19) .... 78 

Captured by Indians, 1697. 

Stephen, Groton (193) . . . 116 

Thomas, Barre (1226) . . . . 146 
Thomas, Waldoboro, Me. 

Served as centinel, 25 June to 20 
Nov., 1755, in company of Captain 
Thomas Fletcher, on scout to East¬ 
ward, and at Sergeant Benjamin 
Burton’s blockhouse 18 April — 30 
Oct., 1756. Petitioner with others of 
St. Georges River, asking for removal 
of Captain Fletcher. Stationed at 
Burton’s 6 May — 20 Sept., 1757, 
under command of Captain Joshua 
Freeman, and 10 April to 10 Sept., 
1759. Probably same man who as 
of Broad Bay served from 30 April 
to 5 Dec., 1758, in company com¬ 
manded by Captain David White, 
Colonel Joseph Williams’ regiment. 
Timothy, Sudbury (1634) . . 103 

William 

Volunteered 29 July, 1740, under 
Captain Stephen Richards, for service 
in Spanish West Indies, but services 
not required. Aged 30 years; born in 
Dublin, Ireland; farmer. 

William, Groton (196) . . . 122 

William, Groton, Springfield, Vt. 

(1962). 190 

William, Dorchester (217) . . 129 
William*, Dorchester (2173) 219, 206 


SERVICE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 

Descendants of men whose names occur in this list are eligible to membership 
in the societies Sons of the American Revolution, or Daughters of the American 
Revolution as the case may be. 


Page 

Aaron, Barre (1229) . . . . 149 

Aaron, Barre, Ellisburg, N. Y. 

(12263).i . 249 

Abel, Sudbury (22Jl) .... 216 

Abel, Shirley, Lunenburg (19254) 285 

Abel, 

Drummer in company commanded 
by Captain Nathan Smith, Colonel 
Jacobs’ regiment, paid for Nov., 
1778. 

Abner, Westminster (265-5) . . 139 

Abraham, Haverhill, N. H., Leicester, Vt. 
Enlisted in spring of 1776, at Haver¬ 
hill, in company of Captain Whit¬ 
comb; again in 1779, for one year; 
was at battle of White Plains, in 
regiment commanded by Colonel 


Page 

Runnell; also served in 1781, joining 
regiment at Charlestown, N. II. 
Abraham, Shirley, Stockbridge, Vt. 

(19375). 321 

Adonijah, Haverhill, N. H. (1241-3), 152 
Amos, Shirley (1925) .... 168 

Amos, Jr., Shirley (19251) . . . 284 

Amos, Glastonbury, Conn. (2212-1) 210 
Anthony, Warwick (R872-1) . . 406 

Lieutenant, 3d company militia, Oct. 
1775, to May, 1778, and in 1779,1780, 
1781, 1783, and saw active service as 
Lieutenant in company commanded 
by Captain Thomas Rice, Colonel 
John Waterman’s regiment, 4 Dec., 
1776 to 8 Feb., 1777, also in spring of 
1778. 




APPENDIX 


415 


Asa, Sudbury and New York (22J4) 221 
Asa, Shirley, Langdon, N. H. (19471) 326 

Benjamin, Princeton (1991) . . 202 

Benjamin, Barre (12251) . . . 241 

Benjamin, Framingham (16314) . 258 

Benjamin, 

Served one month, three days, at 
Rhode Island, from 29 Sept., 1777, in 
company of Captain Daniel Eames, 
Colonel Benjamin Haws’ regiment. 
Benjamin Holding, Delaware 

Appears on roll of company com¬ 
manded by Captain Nathan Adams, 
Colonel John Haslet’s regiment, 
Delaware line, at Dover barracks, 12 
April, 1776. Given as enlisted 26 
March. Also on roll of 1st Co., 2d 
Battalion, Colonel Williams’ regi¬ 
ment, serving with the Southern 
army, dated at Hillsboro, N. C., 
Sept., 1780. 

Benajmin, New Jersey 

Served in 3d Regiment, Hunter¬ 
don County Militia. 

Benjamin, New Jersey 

Served in Carhart’s company, 2d 
Hunterdon County regiment militia. 
Benjamin, New Jersey 

Served in company commanded by 
Captain Phillips, 2d battalion. Also 
served in militia; also under Captain 
Ross, 3d Battalion. 

Charles, Coventry, R. I. (R872) . 407 

Charles, Providence (R855-1) . 404 

Paymaster of Rhode Island Conti¬ 
nental forces, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1780. 
Commissary General of militia Feb., 
1779-1790. 

Daniel, Shrewsbury (12234) . . 236 

Daniel, Stoneham, Sweden, Me., 

(16452). 266 

Da’l, 

In detachment commanded by 
Colonel Thatcher. No year. 

Daniel Holden, 

otherwise and probably correctly 
given as Holdren. Member of com¬ 
pany of New York militia, com¬ 
manded by Captain Gano in Colonel 
Dubois’ Regiment. John and 
Andries Holdron served in Hayes’ 
regiment of New York Militia. 
Darius, Granville (1241-2) . . 152 

Ebebezer, Granville (12411) . . 255 

Ebenezer Mitchel, Granville 

(12411-2).254 

From Oct., 1780 to 23 Dec., 1783, 


Page 

in Continental service; from 14 Mar., 
1781, in company commanded by 
Capt. Abner Wade, 8th Mass. Regt. 
Living 1840 in Butternuts, N. Y., 
aged 76 years. 

Edmund, Groton (19474) ... 330 

Engaged 20 March, 1781, for three 
years, from Groton, aged 16 years, 
5 ft. 2 in., light complexion and hair, 
dark eyes. 

Elias, Westminster (2624) . . . 229 

Ephraim, Lunenburg, Groton, Athens, 
Vt. (193L).185 

PFrancis, Westminster, Vt. (19312) 808 

Frederick Holden, 

Enlisted in company commanded by 
Major Joseph Vaughan, Colonel 
David Hall's Delaware regiment. 
Roll dated April, 1779. Reported 
among the casualties “missing in 
action,’’ 16 August, 1780, and in 
December sick at Hillsboro, N. C. 

Henry, New Jersey 

Served in battalion in Continental 
service, also militia. 

Henry, New Jersey 

Served in 1778, for nine months, in 
company commanded by Captain 
Helons, 2d N. J., regiment (Colonel 
Israel Shreeve). He enlisted at 
Elizabethtown in same regiment for 
duration of war. He was at battle of 
Monmouth, York, Pa., and in two 
engagements with Indians during 
service under General Sullivan in 
New York. 

Henry, New Jersev 

3 i/ 

In Sussex County militia. 

Isaac, Townsend (194-3) . . . 118 

Isaac, Harvard (2341) .... 226 

Jabez, Groton (1948) . . . .188 

James, Barre (12252) .... 243 

James, Adams, Batavia, N. Y. 
(12238) 238 

James, Wrentham 

Enlisted 10 May, 1775, Captain 
Moses Wheeler’s company. Colonel 
Jona. Ward’s regiment; residence 
given as Wrentham. Received 
bounty coat or equivalent 19 Feb., 
1776, at Dorchester. He may be the 
same James, whose name appears on 
a roll dated at Newton, of a com¬ 
pany stationed at Roxbury, com¬ 
manded by Capt. Edward Fuller, 
Col. William McIntosh regiment, 
in camp from 19 March to 16 April, 



410 


APPENDIX 


Page 

1778. This last company was from 
Needham. Both Needham and 
Wrentham were formerly parts of 
Dedham. 

James, 

Marine on frigate “Deane” com¬ 
manded by Captain Samuel Nichol¬ 
son, 10 Jan. to 31 May, 1782. 

James, North Carolina 

Living in Smithville, Brunswick Co., 
March, 1833, aged 73 years, when he 
applied for pension for service in 
militia. Rejected as he did not serve 
six months. Born 9 Mar., 1760, in 
Brunswick County. 

Jeduthan, Barre, Orange (12231) . 235 

Job, North Carolina 

Living in Brunswick Co., N. C., 
March, 1836, aged 84 years: born 
Cape May, N. J. Applied for pen¬ 
sion, declaring service in militia in 
1776 and later, in all two years. 
“Minute Man.” 

Joel, Reading 

Enlisted in company commanded by 
Captain James Bancroft, Colonel 
M. Jackson’s Continental regiment; 
paid from 18 March, 1777, to 10 
March, 1780. 

John, Stoneham, Otisfield, Me. 

(1645) . . . ... . .159 

John, Jr., Stoneham, Otisfield, Me. 

(16451). 264 

John, Glastonbury, Conn. (2212) . 211 

John, Leicester (2236) . . . 215 

John, Mendon (12221) .... 234 

John, Dunstable (18651) . . . 273 

John, Shelburne (19243) . . .275 

John, Shirley, Franklin, Vt. (19256), 286 
John, Providence (R872-3) . . 406 

Ensign April or May, 1775: lieu¬ 
tenant Sept., 1775, Greene's regi¬ 
ment, R. I. line: adjutant, 1777: 
captain 10 Oct., 1777. Discharged 
15 June, 1783. 

John, Warwick, R. I. 

Served several months in Colonel 

Grary’s regiment, 1776. 

John, Warwick, R. I. 

Lieutenant Jan., 1776, in Captain 
Gibbs’ company, Colonel Rich¬ 
mond’s regiment, raised for one year, 
probably the adjutant of the brigade 
comprising the 1st and 2d regiments 
of militia, 1776. 

John, Rhode Island 

Ensign in Colonel Christopher Lip- 
pitt's regiment, Sept., 1776, to Jan., 
1777. 

John, 

On ship “Alfred,” Captain John 


Page 

Paul Jones, entitled to prize money, 
1776. Shipped at Philadelphia, 10 
Dec., 1775: barber; discharged 5 
Sept., 1776. 

John, 

Engaged as seaman on State ship 
“Tartar,” Captain John Cathcart, 
24 Aug., 1782; discharged 30 Oct., 

1782, at Boston. 

Engaged as seaman State sloop 
“Winthrop,” Captain George Little, 
6 Dec., 1782: discharged 10 Feb., 

1783. 

John, Boston 

Enlisted as John Houlding 27 Dec., 

1776, in company commanded by 
Captain Christopher Marshall, 
Colonel Thomas Marshall’s regi¬ 
ment; in service 31 Dec., 1780. He 
was born 1741-2 in Kings Co., Ire¬ 
land. He was a barber, as was John 
who shipped on the “Alfred” in 1775. 

John 

Served 1 Jan., 1781, to 31 Dec., 1782, 
in 10th Mass. Regt. (Colonel Tup- 
per); corporal 1 April, 1782. Prob¬ 
ably same man as John Holden of 
Chambers’ company, 6th Regiment 
(Colonel Smith). 

See also John Houlding of Marshall’s 
regiment. 

John, Sheepscot, Me. 

Enlisted 17 Feb., 1777, Captain 
Billy Porter’s company, Colonel E. 
Francis’ regiment: marched to Ben¬ 
nington; served 44 days. 

John, of Bristol (Me.), reported in list of 
those belonging to Bristol who died 
in the service. 

John, Brookfield 

Enlisted for three years, 13 March, 

1777, aged 30 years, out of com¬ 
pany commanded by Captain Nathan 
Hamilton, Colonel Converse’s regi¬ 
ment, for Brookfield and joined Cap¬ 
tain Slayton’s company. Colonel 
Shepherd’s regiment; paid from 13 
March, 1777 to 6 June 1777, w r hen he 
is reported deserted. 

Name also appears as Hoilden. 
Jonas, Westford, Mt. Holly, Vt. 

(193 K).183 

Jonas, Sudbury (22 J3) .... 221 

Jonathan, Woburn (186-3) . . Ill 

Jonathan, Dorchester (2176) . . 208 

Joseph, Westminster (265-1) . . 136 

Joseph, Boxford (1633) . . . 154 

Joseph, Cambridge (2311) . . . 223 

Joseph, Barre, Chester, Vt. (12264), 250 

Joseph, Stoneham (16315) . . 260 

Joseph, Westminster (265) . . 136 





APPENDIX 


417 


JoseSph, Barrington 

Paid for August and Sept,, 1775, for 
service at Prospect Hill, Captain 
Jonathan Davis’ company. Colonel 
Whitcomb’s regiment. 

Joseph, Worcester Co. 

Enlisted 5 Dec., 1775, to serve until 
15 Jan., 1776, Captain Dan. Haws’ 
company, Colonel Samuel Holden 
Parson’s regiment. 

Joshua, Ashburnham (1963) . . 192 

Josiah, Rutland, Barre (1225) . 144 

Josiah, Barre, Newfane, Vt. (12253) 243 

Jos’A, 

member of company of guards in and 
about Boston, 5 Oct., to 4 Nov., 
1778, Captain David Goodwin’s com¬ 
pany, Colonel Cogswell’s regiment. 

Levi, Sudbury (22J2) .... 218 

Lemuel, Shirley, Chesterfield, N. H. 
(19341). 315 

Moses, Harvard, Littleton, (234-6) 134 

Moses, Barre (12254) .... 246 

Moses 

In detail of Captain Jesse Hollister 
serving as picket guard under Major 
Baldwin, 23 May, 1775. (Invest¬ 
ment of Boston). 

Nathan, Shrewsbury (12237) . . 237 

Nathan, Barre (12256) .... 248 

Nathaniel, Dunstable (1865) . . 160 

Nathaniel, Charlestown, N. H., 
Springfield, Vt., (19264) . . 340 

Nathaniel, 

Enlisted 15 Aug., discharged 30 
Nov., 1777, at Cambridge, company 
commanded by Captain Zadok Buf¬ 
fington, Colonel Samuel Johnson’s 
regiment. Roll sworn to at Salem. 


Nehemiah, Peppered, Oxford, Vt. 


Higginsport, O. (19273) 

. . 293 

Oliver, Charlestowm (19274) 

. . 295 

Philemon, Shirley (19346) . 

. . 316 

Phineas, Dorchester (2175) 

. . 208 

Phineas, Shirley, Brookline, 

N.H. 

(19347) . 

. . 317 


Randall, Warwick, R. I. (R642) . 403 

Local military company. 

Randall, Warwick, R. I. (R642-3) 402 

Paid by town of Warwick for 
military services June to October, 
1780. 

Richard, Charlestown, N. H. (1965) 194 
Richard, Charlestowm, N. H. (19651) 344 
Richard S., Charlestow n, (19272) . 291 


Page 

Richard, New Jersey 

In Sussex County militia. 

Robert, Templeton (1981) . . 198 

Robert, 

Enlisted 26 Mar., 1776: served to 10 
Sept., 1776, in defence of seacoast. 
Roll dated at Bristol. 

See John and Thomas. 

Samuel, Berkshire Co. 

Served from 16 July, 1776, to 5 Aug. 

1776, in Berkshire County, com¬ 
pany commanded by Captain Samuel 
Walcott, which marched to the High¬ 
lands, also for eleven days on alarm 
of 14 Oct., 1781, marching from 
Sandisfield to Stillw r ater. 

Enlisted 30 June, 1777; discharged 
27 July, 1777, Captain Samuel 
Walcott’s company, Colonel John 
Brown’s regiment. Marched to re¬ 
inforce the Northern army. 

Samuel, Dorchester (2172) . . 205 

Samuel, Mendon, Charlestown, Me. 
(12221-1) 232 

Enlisted about 1 May, 1776, dis¬ 
charged Oct., 1776; re-enlisted 21 
April, 1777, in company of Captain 
Thomas Barnes, Colonel Nixon’s 
(6th Mass.) regiment: discharged 
Feb., 1783. From 20 Sept., 1777, to 
31 Dec. 1779, Captain John Holden 
commanded the company. He 
served 11 months as drummer and 
23 months as a private. 

Samuel, 

Member of crew of privateer sloop 
“Retrieve” captured by British man- 
of-war “Milford.” The “Retrieve” 
sailed out of Casco Bay. Year not 
given. 

Samuel, Topsham and Damariscotta, 
Me., credited to Malden. 

As of Topsham enlisted 10 Jan., 

1777, w r as in Continental service; 
Captain John Reed’s company. 
Colonel Alden’s regiment, was at 
Cherry Valley, 1779; discharged 8 
June, 1783, by General Washington, 
having re-enlisted March, 1779, as of 
Damariscotta (his birthplace, age 
variously given as 30, 31 and 45 
years, height 5 ft. 8 in., also 5 ft. 3 in., 
light complexion, light brown hair); 
served in Colonel John Brooks’ (7th) 
Regiment during second enlistment, 
on Hudson River and vicinity. For 
full record see Massachusetts Soldiers 
and Sailors in the Revolution , page 
112 . 

Sawtell, Shirley (19316) . . . 312 


418 


APPENDIX 


Page 

Simon, Shirley (1937) .... 181 

Simon, Shirley (19373) .... 320 

Stephen, Shirley (1931) . . . 179 

Stephen, Shirley, Westminster, Yt. 

(19313).310 

Stephen, Westminster (2G22) . . 228 

Thomas Holden, 

Received a grant of land of Georgia 
in Georgia on account of service in 
war for Independence. 

Thomas, Barre (1226-6) . . . 146 

Thomas, Warwick, R. I. (R874) . 408 

Thomas, Jr., Warwick, R. I. (R874-1) 
Served from 4 Dec., 1776, to 4 Jan., 
1777, as private in Captain Thomas 
Rice’s company, Colonel John 
Waterman’s regiment, also as ser¬ 
geant, Captain Squire Millard’s 
company, 9 Jan. to 8 Feb., 1777; 
also 11-27 July, 1777, and in Cap¬ 
tain T. Hill’s company, 9-12 Oct., 
1779. Probably the same man who 
served in Captain Anthony Potter’s 
company, Colonel Mathewson’s regi¬ 
ment, 21-31 Aug., 1778, on island of 
Rhode Island. 

Thomas, PBristol, Me. 

Enlisted 13 July, 1775; served to 31 
Dec., 1775: re-enlisted 26 March, 
1776, and served to 7 Dec., 1776 in 
defence of seacoast. Company 


Page 

stationed at Boothbay. Roll of Cap¬ 
tain Caleb Turner’s company. 
Thomas, New Jersey 

Served in 2d Continental Battalion, 
under Captain Phillips. He was a 
deserter from the British army 20 
Nov., 1778, and committed suicide. 
Tilly, Concord (226-5) . . . 132 

Timothy, Charlestown, N. H. (19652) 347 


William, Springfield, Vt. (1962) . 191 

William, Dorchester (2173) . . 206 

William, Warwick, R. I. (R864) . 405 

William, Berkshire Co. 

Served from 19 Sept., 1777, to 18 
Oct., 1777, under General John 
Fellows, in Captain Samuel Wal¬ 
cott’s company. Colonel John 
Ashley’s regiment, as re-enforee- 
ments to Northern army. See 1243-3, 
p. 152. 

William, Bristol, Me. 

Served 1 Jan., 1777, to 20 Sept., 
1780, in Colonel Greaton’s Conti¬ 
nental regiment. He had re-enlisted 
for the war, but is reported as 
deserted. See Massachusetts Soldiers 
and Sailors in War of the Revolution, 
page 114. 

Zacariah, Shirley (19315) . . . 311 


British 


James Holden was held as a prisoner 
of war. His estate was confiscated 
by State of New York by acts of 1780 
and 1781. Apparently he was the 
James Holding, a New York loyal¬ 
ist, who with his family of three per¬ 
sons went to Shelburne, N. S., where 
he had a town lot granted him. 

John, taken prisoner 19 April, 1775, and 
confined at Brookfield. He was a 


paper worker, and apparently settled 
in this country. 

John Holder of Pennsylvania was tried 
and acquitted of treason. Jacob lost 
his property by confiscation. George, 
pardoned by the Council, 7 June, 
1779. 

See Sabin’s American Loyalists, 
where the name is given as Holder or 
Holden. Holder is probably correct. 


INDEX 


The references are to the paragraphs or lines bearing the numbers following the 
name, i.e., to the individual. As these run in sequence the paragraph is easily found. 

When a dash follows any figure, in turn followed by one or more figures, look for 
the paragraph bearing the number preceding the dash, and then for the sub-paragraph 
or line. Thus, 167-32 would refer to head of family given in paragraph 167 and to his 
third child, under whom would be found the individual sought, listed as the second 
child. See Preface, pp. x, xi. 

The date preceding the name is that of birth unless the letters m, d, or l precede the 
date. In this case the date is that of marriage or death as the case may be; / indicates 
that the person was living at the date given, usually the probable date of marriage. 
In some instances reference is given to page, in which case the letter p precedes the 
folio. In case of reference to note (n following the reference) it is the note or one of 
the notes referring to the individual whose “number” is quoted. The letter v indicates 
the person named will be found in the paragraph relating to the person whose “number” 
is quoted. 

The first index is to persons bearing the name Holden, but does not, with few 
exceptions, include women who obtained the name by marriage. 

The second index is to persons who have married Holdens, to Holden descendants, 
not of the name, and to persons whom the latter have married, and some names 
mentioned incidently. 

Persons known to have died childless prior to their seventeenth year, and in some 
instances in their seventeenth year, are not included in the index. Except in the earliest 
generations no attempt has been made to index names of parents of persons 
who have married w r ith Holdens. A complete index will appear in Vol. II. Pages 
1 to 45 are but partially indexed. 


Holden 


Holden of New Jersey, p. 5 
—of Carolina, p. 5 
—of Virginia, p. 5 
Hodeng, Hoden family 
pp. 1, note, 11, note 
Hodeng, Raph de, p. 11 
Holden Chapel, p. 9 
Holden Hist. & Gen. Soc. 
pp. v, vi 

1732 Aaron,1229 
1755 Aaron,12263 
11777 Aaron, v 12263 
ml796 Aaron, 12263 
1790 Aaron G., 19471-4 
1793 Aaron, 19251-8 

1797 Aaron, 16456-1 
1804 Aaron, 1229J-1 
1817 Aaron B., 1645J-5 

Aaron, 12263-7 
1752 Abel, 22J1 
1758 Abel, 19254 
1779 Abel, 22J1-2 
1785 Abel, 19254-1 
1806 Abel, 19375-3 
1800 Abel L., 19472-4 
Abel, 19256-5 
/l 778 Abidal (-), 19243 

1798 Abiel, 16414-3, p. v. 
Abigail, see Nabby 

dl685 Abigail (-), 18 

1693 Abigail, 18-2 
ml714 Abigail, 16-5 
1710 Abigail, 21-6 


1719 Abigail, 26-3 
1719 Abigail, 194-1 
1726 Abigail, 122-7 
1737 Abigail, 186-4 
1741 Abigail, 196-8 
ml757 Abigail, v 196-8 
1744 Abigail, 197-5 
1748 Abigail, 1924-1 
1757 Abigail, 217-9 
1760 Abigail, 1225-7 

H 761 Abigail (-), 1924 

1763 Abigail, 1641-2 
1767 Abigail, 265-8 

1777 Abigail, 12252-3 

1778 Abigail, 19243-1 
1780 Abigail K., 22J3-3 
1788 Abigail, 16312-7 

1788 Abigail, 12432-3 

1789 Abigail P., 12256-4 

1791 Abigail, 19312-9 

1792 Abigail, 21761-1 
ml808 Abigail, 19312-9 
ml812 Abigail, 193L-5 

1795 Abigail, 2622-8 
1795 Abigail, 19652-3 
1795 Abigail, 16415-1 
1798 Abby, 19272-4 
1800 Abigail W., 18651-5 
ml824 Abigail, 19312-9 
1804 Abigail, 19276-4 
1806 Abigail, 2236-J 

a829 Abigail (-), 19246 

1820 Abigail, 19914-K 


1823 Abigail, 26221-7 
1834 Abbey P., 12254-J4 
1722 Abner, 265 

1760 Abner, 265-5, p. v. 

1795 Abner, 19251-9 
1847 Abner, 26579-9 

1806 Abraham, 19375-2 

1761 Abraham, 19375 
1830 Abzana, 19347-J 

1807 Achsah, 12297-5 

1 1822 Achsah (-), 12237-6 

1768 Ada, 12411-3 
Adam, p. 10 
ml582 Adam, p. 23 
1606 Adam, p. 23, 26, 34 
11630 Adam, p. 26, 34 
1806 Adams M., 192J4-K — 
1748 Addomia, 1241-3 
1844 Adelbert, 19818-4 
1748 Adonijah, 1241-3 
11866 Adeline, 19651-8 
1818 Adoniram, 19815-4 
1821 Albert P., 21762-J 
1792 Alma E., 19474-1 
1798 Almira, 19484-1 
1802 Almira, 2622-K 

1811 Alvah, 16455-5 

1812 Alvah S., 19347-9 
ml 830 Alvan 

1795 Alvarus, 19246-1 
1804 Alvin, 193K2-3 
1830 Alzina, 19347-J 
Alvira, 1981K-3 


419 





420 


INDEX OF HOLDEN NAMES 


1797 Amanda, 19474-1 
Amanda, 19819-J 
1775 Arnasa, 12234-4 

1775 Amasa, 12221-7 

1792 Amasa, 12237-6 
1813 Amasa, 16415-8 

dl869 Ambrose, 23419 
1726 Amos, 1925 
1752 Amos, 19251 

1763 Amos, 2212-1 
1781 Amos, 19251-7 
1806 Amos P., 22273-3 
1771 Amne (Amy), 1865-5 

1764 Amy, 1965-5 
1771 Amy, 1865-5 

1776 Amy, 197-9 + 

1815 Amy, 1924J-4 
1821 Amy, 19248-9 

1818 Andrew J., 19815-4 
1691 Ann, R8-2 

1724 Ann, R86-2 
1734 Anne, 222-6 
1759 Anne, 1229-2 
1774 Anne, 1865-6 

1793 Anne, 21762-1 
1795 Anne J., 21725-3 

1801 Ann, 12432-8 
1809 Ann, 192J5-5 

Ann, 1981-4 
Ann, 19819-K 
Anna, v 21-2 

1659 Anna (-), 16 

1682 Anna, 16-1 
1734 Anna, 164-3 

1761 Anna, 1931-7 
1792 Anna, 22J5-1 

1802 Anna C., 12297-3 

1803 Anna, 19245-5 

1803 Anna,19245-6 
<Zl805 Anna, 1965-4 

1819 Anna E., 22J25-5 

Anna (-), 12263 

Anna, 12263-M 

1758 Annes, 1962-5 
1854 Annie Hall, 2236K-6 
1756 Anstiss, R872-2 
1827 Antepast E., 193K4-6 
1673 Anthony, R-K 
1693 Anthony, R83 
1722 Anthony, R861 
?1750 Anthony, R861-1 
1751 Anthony, R642-1 
1754 Anthony, R872-1 
1787 Arethusa, 19316-4 

Z1840 Arinitta (-) 193K-91 

1785 Artehusia, 12252-5 
1776 Artemas, 192J7 
1796 Artemas K., 19256-2 

1805 Artemas G., 12237-L 
1809 Artemas, 16415-7 
1732 Asa, 1947 

1762 Asa, 22J4 
1773 Asa, 16417 
1758 Asa, 19471 
1787 Asa, 22J1-6 

1790 Asa, 26243 

1791 Asa, 12263-5 
1799 Asa, 16417-2 

1804 Asa, 19474-4 

1806 Asa W., 19473-7 

1807 Asa H., 2236K 
1794 Asaph, 19312-K 
1799 Asenath, 19314-8 
1790 Ashbel, 124S2-4 
1790 Ashley R., 12432-4 

Austin, p. ix 

Aylmer de [Haldane], p. 1 
note 

1668 Barbara, R-9 
1717 Barbara, R85-1 
1744 Barbara, R64-7 


1751 Barbara, R855-4 
Bartholomew, p. 35 
Bartlett, p. 315 

1744 Belcher, p. 105 note 
dl854 Belinda, 19651-9 
1705 Benjamin, 199 
1718 Benjamin, 1631 
1729 Benjamin, 1991 
1725 Benjamin, 124-5 
1749 Benjamin, 12251 

1752 Benajmin, 16314 
1769 Benjamin, 19914 

ml793 Benjamin, 198-8n 
1775 Benjamin, 19485 
1778 Benjamin, 12612-3 
1778 Benjamin, 16313-3 
1798 Benjamin B., 16457-1 
1806 Benjamin F., 16417-6 

1806 Benjamin, 19914-5 

1807 Benjamin F., 19276-5 
1817 Benjamin F., 192J7-3 

Benjamin, 19485 
Benjamin, 19485-6 
1763 Betty, 1926-1 

1766 Betsy, 192J-3 
1778 Betsey, 2173-3 
1782 Betsey, 2227-4 
1784 Betsey, 19624-5 
1784 Betsey, 12221-J 
1787 Betsy, 22J3-7 
1789 Betsy, 16314-4 
1791 Betsey, 16414-1 
1791 Betsey, 19254-2 

1795 Betsy, 19631-1 

1796 Betsy, 19245-3 

1797 Betsey, 19473-3 
1803 Betsey, 19375-1 

Betsey, 19485-8 
1805 Billy P., 19245-7 
ml753 Bulah, 193-8 
1744 Beulah, 222-4 
1781 Buelah B„ 19316-1 
1787 Buelah, 12252-6 

1724 Caleb, 1924 

1767 Caleb, 19245 

1798 Caleb M., 19912-3 

1798 Caleb, 19312-L 
ml824 Caleb, 19312-L 

1786 Caldwell, 12253-2 
1826 Calvin, 26243-4 
1802 Candice, 193L-9 

1736 Carder, R86-7 
Caroline, 19819-7 

1799 Caroline, 21723-4 
1802 Caroline, 19652-6 
1812 Caroline, 1229J-4 

ml835 Caroline, 192J5-8 
1798 Caty,19627-5 

1800 Caty, 12237-J 

1694 Catherine, R8-4 
1717 Catherine, R83-1 
1729 Catherine, R86-5 

1767 Catherine, 1991-3 

1768 Catherine, R874-6 

1778 Catherine, 16314-1, 
16313-3 

1794 Catherine, 19624-J 
1796 Catherine, 19914-1 
1838 Catherine J., 22J29-9 
(Z1883 Catherine, 192,15-6 

Catherine p. 317 note 
1666 Charles, R8 

1695 Charles, R85 
1721 Charles, 193-2 
1723 Charles, R85-4 

1737 Charles, R872 
1746 Charles, R.855-1 

1746 Charles, 1976 

1747 Charles, 19314 

1779 Charles, 193K2 
1785 Charles, 19314-3 


1796 Charles, 19761 
tttl813 Charles, 19314-3 
1804 Charles, 21728-3 
1807 Charles, 19249-1 

1809 Charles, 18654-5 
1822 Charles, 19761-1 

1825 Charles G., 19912-11 

1826 Charles W., 12254-Jl 

1828 Charles W., 1924J-J 

1829 Charles W M 18658-9 
1840 Charles B., 26577-6, 

26578-5 

Charles, p. 31 On 
Charles, 12263-9 
Charles, v R86-9 
Charles, 21728-2 
Z1787 Charlotte, 19272-1 
1801 Charlotte McL., 21725-6 
1848 Charlotte A., 26478-7 
Clara (-), 1924J-2 

1795 Clarissa, 12254-8 
1806 Charlotte, 21723-6 

1810 Charlotte, 19651-J 

1825 Clarissa, 18658-7 
1786 Colwell, 12253-2 
1756 Content, 193-M 

Cornelia, 23418-2 
Cornelia, 19819-L 
1809 Cynthia, 19245-9 

1821 Cynthia, 1924J-7 
Cynthia, 1981-M 

1806 Cyrene, 1229J-2 
7/11857 Cyrus K., 16451-74, 
16452-13 

1812 Dana, 16459-5 
1702 Daniel, 222 
1713 Daniel, 1223 
1732 Daniel, 2225 

1745 Daniel, 12234 
1763 Daniel, 16452 
1773 Daniel, 2225-2 
1771 Daniel, 19276 
1773 Daniel, 12234-3 
1784 Daniel, 12231-J 

1792 Daniel, 16452-2 

1796 Daniel, 19276-1 

1809 Daniel, 16417-7 
1812 Daniel, 1645J-S 
1828 Daniel L., 19245-L 
1844 Daniel J., 22J29-L 
1760 Danniee (Dennis) 1934-5 

1746 Darius, 1241-2 
? 1762 Darius, 12411-1 

1738 David, 192J 
1762 David, 12294 
1769 David W., 192J4 
? 1770 David, 1924-7 
1779 David, 2214-8 
1779 David, 12231-5 
1791 David, 12294-1 

1793 David, 12294-2 
1802 David, 192J4-9 

1810 David S., 19651-4 
Z1810 David, 2341-K 

1815 David, 19248-6 
1819 David L., 21764-8 

1822 David J., 16455-9 

1826 David, 1229J-8 
1834 David, 1924J-M 

David, 12263-P 
David Solomon, 19651-4 
ml774 Deborah, 198 
1753 Deborah, 198-6 
ml 780 Deborah, 198-6 
1773 Deborah, 1981-3 
1849 Deborah B., 26479-J 
1738 Deliverance, R87-3 
Denman, 193K-914 
1760 Dennis, 1934-5 
1784 Dennis, 19346-2 
1806 Dennis (Denias), 19347-8 







INDEX OF HOLDEN NAMES 


421 


dl847 Dennis, 19341-1 
1818 Dennison, 23415-5 
1761 Dolly, 1965-3 
1776 Dolly, 1947-9 
1795 Dolly, 19657-2 

1800 Dolly, 19246-2 
Dolly, 1924-Kl 

1738 Dorcas, 164-6 

1790 Dorcas, 2341-7 

1787 Dorcas, 19471-2 
1816 Dorcas, 26241-1 
1811 Dorothy, 19475-Kl 

1690 Ebenezer, 124 
1713 Ebenezer, 1241 
1730 Ebenezer, 12411 

1764 Ebenezer M., 12411-2 
1780 Ebenezer, 1641-9 
1789 Ebenezer, 16315-1 
1795 Ebenezer, 21761-3 
1797 Ebenezer, 21762-3 

1788 Eber, 1981K 
1755 Ede, 1934-3 
1838 Edgar, 2236K-3 

1765 Edmund, 1926-2 
1765 Edmund, 19474 

1767 Edmund, 19657 
1802 Edmund, 19474-3 
1804 Edmond H., 22369 
1764 Edward, R874-4 

1769 Edward, 21725 

1791 Edward, 21725-1 

1807 Edward P., 192J9-3 
1811 Edward H., 22273-5 

1813 Edward, 21725-K 
1816 Edward, 21764-7 

1848 Edward Cotten, 19818-5 
Edward S., p. ix, 7 
1811 Elbridge, 19379-7 
1773 Eleanor, 1934-K 
Eleanor, 19819-4 

1789 Electa, 12238-8 
1820 Electa, 19815-5 
1775 Eli, 12251-4 
1810 Eli, 16459-4 

1814 Eli L., 12297-8 

1815 Eli, 19812-K 
Eli, 1981-1 
Eli, 12263-6 
Eli, 16457-K 

1758 Elias, 2624 

1802 Elias U., 18654-2 

1808 Elias, 1924J-1 
1838 Elias M., 26226-8 

1770 Elihu, 19246 
1806 Elihu, 19246-3 

1768 Elijah, 12297 
1788 Elijah, 19624-7 
1814 Elijah, 16455-6 

1816 Elijah B., 12297-9 
1808 Elisha, 16455-2 
1816 Elisha W., 192J5-9 
1784 Eliza, 12251-8, 12254-4 
1791 Eliza, 19373-7 

1799 Eliza, 192J5-1 

1801 ElizaS., 19915-1 

1803 Eliza A., 18657-1 

1804 Eliza, 19473-6 

1808 Eliza A., 22273-4 

1809 Eliza, 22J21-5 

1810 Eliza, 19476-2 
ml831 Eliza (Holden), 

19472-5 

1814 Eliza A., 21728-7 
1818 Eliza, 26243-1 
1826 Eliza, 19248-K 
1829 Eliza S., 22J29-5 
Z1847 Eliza, 19249-3 
dl855 Eliza, 193K2-5 
1652 Elizabeth, R-2 
d 1673 Elizabeth (—), 2 
ml682 Elizabeth, 1-K 


1686 Elizabeth, 2-7 

1708 Elizabeth, 18-8 

1709 Elizabeth, 22-5 
Z1719 Elizabeth, 124-2 

ml725 Elizabeth (—), 196 
1725 Elizabeth, 196-1 
1727 Elizabeth (—), 1927 

1730 Elizabeth, 26-7 

1731 Elizabeth, 164-1 
1739 Elizabeth, 197-3 
1742 Elizabeth, 186-8 
1751 Elizabeth, 1241-4 
1753 Elizabeth, 1241-1 

1757 Elizabeth, 265-3 

1758 Elizabeth M„ 1927-1 
1762 Elizabeth, 1966-2 
1772 Elizabeth, 1925-9 
1772 Elizabeth, 1641-6 
1780 Elizabeth, R874-K 
1780 Elizabeth, 12231-8 

ml797 Elizabeth, R642-K 
1782 Elizabeth, 2172-9 

1784 Elizabeth, 12254-3 

1785 Elizabeth, 2214-J 

1786 Elizabeth, 19313-9 
1794 Elizabeth, 12252-9 
1797 Elizabeth, 16452-4 
1800 Elizabeth, 2622-J 
1800 Elizabeth M., 19274-5 

1805 Elizabeth, 19475-8 

1812 Elizabeth, 19914-8 

1813 Elizabeth, 19273-6 

1813 Elizabeth, 19276-8 
1817 Elizabeth, 16455-8 
1823 Elizabeth, 18658-6 
1843 Elizabeth M., 26578-5, 

26577-6 

11850 Elizabeth A., 12253-6n. 
Elizabeth, 12411-6 

1777 Elnathan, 19312-2 
1816 Elnathan, 19273-7 

11810 Elnathan, 19312-2 n. 

1804 Elvira, 193L-J 
Elvira, 19819-5 

m Elvira, 19484-75 
Elvira, 1981-J 

1786 Emma, 1925-0 
1789 Emma, 19313-J 
1791 Emma, 22J2-8 

1814 Emma, 22J25-3 
1821 Emma, 19248-9 
1836 Emma L., 2236K-2 

Emma, 19485-4 
1761 Emme, 1931-7 
1765 Enoch, 232-3 

1806 Enoch P., 21725-8 
1753 Ephraim, 193L 

1807 Erastus, 19248-2 
1807 Erastus S., 19273-4 

1806 Erie, 19348-8 

1778 Esther, 12263-1 

1787 Esther, 2622-5 
1787 Esther, 19251-5 
1794 Esther, 19657-1 

Esther M., 19248-5 
1812 Esther, 19248-5 
1830 Esther A., 1924J-K 
1794 Ethan, 12237-7 
1717 Eunice, 22-8 
1738 Eunice, 196-7 
1770 Eunice, 1925-8 

1779 Eunice, 19312-3 
1799 Eunice, 19812-4 

1807 Eunice, 19245-8 
1843 Evander, 26579-6 
1820 Eveline, 193K5-4 
1775 Ezekiel, 21764 
1764 Ezra, 2657 

1782 Ezra, 16459 
1803 Ezra, 16457-4 

1805 Ezra, 16459-1 
1810 Ezra, S. 26579 


1833 Ezra O., 26577-2 
1840 Ezra, 26579-4 

1781 Fanny, 12237-2 
1787 Fannie, 12256-3 
1798 Fanny, 22J3-L 

11816 Fannie (-), 19651-1 

1807 Fanny, 12268-6 
Fanny, 19651-K 
Fernando, 193K-912 

1795 Fidelea, 19912-2 
1806 Fitch, 193K2-4 
1649 Frances, R-l 
1690 Frances, R8-1 
1701 Frances, R6-7 
1733 Frances, R86-6 
11783 Frances, R64-56 
1812 Frances B., 21762-8 
1743 Francis, 19312 

1787 Francis, 19312-7 

1805 Francis, 21764-3 
1810 Francis M., 192J9-4 

1806 Franklin, 22J21-4 
1812 Franklin B., 23415-2 
1790 Frazier, 193L-6 
1790 Frederick, 12238-9 
1812 Frederic A., 192J7-2 

Frederic A., p. v 
1849 Frederick H., 19246 n 

1 1770 Freelove (-), R874 

1775 Freelove, R874-9 
1780 Freeman, 12254-2 

1785 George, 22J24 

1796 George P., 16451-5 

1797 George W., 21725-4 
1802 George, 16415-4 
11830 George, 1925K-2 

1805 George A., 12432-J 
1814 George S., 12268-9 

1816 George B., 193K5-2 

1817 George, 22J 24-2 
1825 George, 26243-3 
1827 George H., 192J7-5 
1835 George W., 19347-M 

Gilbert, 1981-L 

1788 Giles H., 19651-2 
Gilbert H., 19819-6 

1681 Grace, 2-5 
1707 Grace, 22-4 
1726 Grace, 222-1 

Grinfill B., p. vi 
1796 Gustavus A., 19316-8 
11816 Guy, 19651-1 

1707 Hannah, 19-J 
1709 Hannah, 122-1 
1723 Hannah, 193-3 
1729 Hannah, 222-3 
1735 Hannah, 192-9 
ml765 Hannah, 234-2 
1742 Hannah, 217-4 

11750 Hannah (-), R6-1 

1752 Hannah, 197-8 

1755 Hannah, 1937-2 

1756 Hannah, 223-7 

1757 Hannah, p. 126 n., p. 148 n. 

1758 Hannah, 198-8 

1759 Hannah, 1966-1 
1762 Hannah, R874-2 

1762 Hannah, 193L 

1763 Hannah, 2172-2 

1764 Hannah,1229-5 
1769 Hannah,193-J n 
1771 Hannah, 12221-5 
1771 Hannah, 1229-5n 
1779 Hannah, 2311-1 

1782 Hannah, 12252-4 

1783 Hannah, 2176-8 

1784 Hannah, 1925-N 

1785 Hannah, 193L-4 

Z1790 Hannah, l61S4-2a 
* 





422 


INDEX OF HOLDEN NAMES 


1790 Hannah, 22J2-7 

1792 Hannah, 2622-7 

1793 Hannah, 19373-8 
1797 Hannah, 19276-2 
Z1800 Hannah, 198-8n 

ml820 Hannah, 12264-3 

1801 Hannah, 2236-8 

1802 Hannah,19914-2 
1817 Hannah S„ 16459-7 

? 1818 Hannah, 16457-J 

1797 Harriot, 22J2-K 
1822 Handel, 26221-6 
1789 Hannibal C., 19316-3 

1798 Hannibal, 12297-1 

1799 Hannibal, 193K-9 
Harriet, 12263-N 

1794 Harriet, 16452-3 
Harriet, 19248-71 

1817 Harriet S., 22,129-1 

1791 Harriet, 193K-6 
1797 Harriet, 22J2-K 

1820 Harriet R. H., 19476-9 
1828 Harriet, 12254-2J 
1839 Harriet E„ 26579-3 
Harriet P22361-3 
Z1860 Hartwell, 193K-91 

1805 Harvey, 12288-5 
1789 Havillah, 19819 
1808 Hernan, 19379-6 

1796 Henrietta, 19472-3 
Henry, 232, p. 

1705 Henry, 232 
Zl786 Henry, R861-2 
1787 Henry, 16451-2 
1791 Harry, 12294-1 

1800 Henry, 21728-1 

1803 Henry, 19274-6 
1811 Henry, 22J25-2 
1787 Henrv, 22J25 
1814 Henry H., 193K5-1 
1817 Henry A., 1925K-8 
1835 Henry A., 18658-K 
1842 Henri S., 2236K-4 

1803 Hervey, 19812-6 
1787 Hinnian, 12238-7 
1810 Hiram, 19248-4 

Hiram, 19485-7 
Hiram, 19651-5 
Hiram, p. v 
1791 Horace, 19627-1 
1793 Horace, 22J29 

1808 Horace B., 19273-3 

1810 Horace, 23415-1 

1811 Horace, 1924J-3 
1816 Horace H., 192J9-6 

1812 Horatio N„ 192J9-5 

1809 Horatio, 22J25-1 
Horatio, 193K-913 

1779 Ichabod A., 12221-8 
1782 Ira, 12238-5 

1797 Ira, 19475-4 

1804 Ira S., 22273-2 
Z1810 Ira, 12238-5 
1833 Irena, 19347-L 

Z1811 Isabella (-), 16313 

1677 Isaac, 23 

1703 Isaac, 231 
1723 Isaac, 194-3 
1742 Isaac, 2341 
1748 Isaac, 16313 
Isaac, 232-2 

1774 Isaac, 23411 

1775 Isaac, 16313-2 

1780 Isaac, 2311-2 
1803 Isaac, 16417-4 

1806 Isaac N., 23411-1 
1728 Isaiah, 1926 

1798 Ivers, 19633-1 

1721 Jabez, 1243 
1735 Jabez, 1948 


1766 Jabez, 1948-2 
1786 Jabez, 12221-K 

ml826 Jabez, 12221-Kn 
1824 Jacob E., p. 277 nole 
1588 James, pp. 24, 26, 33 
1685 James, 122 
1711 James, 1222 
1720 James, 163-2 
1750 James, 12252 

1755 James, 1633-1 
ml776 James, 1633 

1756 James, 12238 

1767 James, 12221-3 

1768 James, 21761 
1772 James, 19379 

1774 James, 12252-1 

1775 James, 12238-1 
1777 James, 19248 

Z1782 James, 1633-1 n 

1789 James, 19373-6 

1790 James, 19624-8 

1794 James B„ 21761-2 

1795 James A., 12432-5 

1796 James, 18651-3 

1798 James, 19379-2 

1799 James A., 21725-5 
ml820 James, 19348-4 

1809 James, 1924T-2 

1809 James S., 12297-6 

1810 James II., 16457-8 
1812 James L., 19245-J 

1812 James D., 217646 

1816 James, 19248-7 

1817 James, 19476-7 

1818 James M., 22362-5 

1819 James D. O., 19484-K 
1824 James C., 22J29-2 
1828 James H., 22J25-8 

ml853 James I., p. S43n 
7711857 James, 19473-31 
James, 19249-2 
1802 Jane, 19484-3 
1808 Jane C., 21728-5 
1846 Jennie S., 19379-61 
1846 Jason D„ 26579-8 
1739 Jeduthan, 12231 

1771 Jeduthan, 12411-4 
1732 Jemima, 196-4 

il 757 Jemima, 193-5 
1774 Jemima, 1937-J 
Jemima, 1226S-K 
1746 Jeremiah, 234-3 

1813 Jeremiah F., 21725-K 

1769 Jesse, 16455 

1779 Jesse, 12251-6 

1800 Jesse, 16451-6 
1806 Jesse, 16455-1 
1830 Jesse, 193K4-7 
1708 Joanna, 23-3 
1734 Joanna, 186-2 

7711765 Joanna, 234-2 
1774 Joanna, 1865-6 

Joanna B., 19819-1 
1768 Joel, 22J5 

1772 Joel, 19915 

1780 Joel, 19251, 

1781 Joel, 12251-7 
1804 Joel S., 19915-2 
1815 Joel M., 1925L-1 

Jl 286 John, p. 13 
Z1524 John, p. 17 
1616 John, p. 23 

1656 John,R-4 

1657 John, 18 
1657 John, 22 
1675 John, 22 
1685 John, 192 
1687 John, R6-1 
1698 John, 184 
1700 John, 221 
1700 John, R87 
1719 John, 192-2 


1724 John, R855 

1731 John,184-5 

1732 John, R64-4 
1732 John, 2212 

1737 John, 12221 

1738 John,1645 
1752 John,19243 

1752 John, R642-2 

1753 John, 2236 
1757 John, R872-S 
1761 John,16451 

1763 John,12268 

1764 John,19256 
1764 John,18651 
1764 John,R874-3 

1769 John, 2212-2 

1770 John, 21762 - 

1772 John,12251-2 ^ 

1773 John,12221-6 

1773 John,1963-4 
/1786 John, R861-3 

1779 John, 19313-5 
1781 John,16313-4 

1783 John, 22J3-5 

1784 John,16451-1 

1785 John,19818 
1789 John,22361 • 

1791 John,19346-5 

1792 John,19312-J 

1792 John H., 192J4-3 

1793 John T., 19652-2 
1795 John,19256-1 

1795 John,18651-2 
Z1798 John, 197-J 

1799 John, 21762-4 
Z1810 John B., 19243-2 

1800 John, 12268-2 
1805 John, 19812-7 

1805 John, 19243-1 
1810 John, 21764-5 

1815 John,18658-2 
1820 John, 22361-1 

Z1832 John, 19246-3 
7/11853 John H., 22369-1 
1845 John M., 26578-6 
John, 19914-L 
John, 19248-73 
John, 19485-K 
John, 18657-2 
John, 12263-8 
1770 Jonah, 12234-2 

1796 Jonah, 12237-8 
1721 Jonas, 22J 
1751 Jonas, 193K 
1756 Jonas, 22J3 

1774 Jonas, 1947-8 

1780 Jonas, 26221 
1783 Jonas, 12251-8 
1789 Jonas, 22J1-7 
1792 Jonas, 22J5-2 
1795 Jonas, 19254-3 

1795 Jonas, 193K-8 

1796 Jonas, 19346-7 
1802 Jonas, 19472-5 

1806 Jonas F., 194845 

1816 Jonas, 19475-N 
1816 Jonas R., 193K4-2 

7711831 Jonas, 19473-6 
Jonas, 19315ti 
1703 Jonathan, 186 
1703 Jonathan, 198 
1729 Jonathan, 184-4 

1735 Jonathan, 186-3 

1736 Jonathan, 1966 
1745 Jonathan, 2176 
1734 Jonathan, 2214 
1749 Jonathan, 198-4 
1766 Jonathan, 2214-2 

1769 Jonathan, 1926-4 

1770 Jonathan, 19812 
1778 Jonathan, 18657 
1780 Jonathan, 19249 



INDEX OF HOLDEN NAMES 


423 


ml810 Jonathan, 198-8n 
(1800 Jonathan, 198-8n 
1811 Jonathan, 19812-J 
1828 Jonathan, 19761-1 
1609 Joseph, p. 23 
1683 Joseph, 26 
1695 Joseph, 163 
1716 Joseph, 26-1 
1725 Joseph, 1633 

1725 Joseph, 124-6 
?1780 Joseph, 2311,2334 

1753 Joseph, 265-1 
1755 Joseph, 12264 
(1777 Joseph, R642-L 
ml773 Joseph, 2341 
(1779 Joseph, v 1633 
1762 Joseph, 1633-3 
1762 Joseph, 16315 

1764 Joseph, 19912 
1769 Joseph, 19476 

Z1790 Joseph, 12264-1 n 
1774 Joseph W., R872-4 

1791 Joseph S., 12264-1 

1792 Joseph B., 19912-1 
1800 Joseph, 26577 

1800 Joseph, 16315-2 

ml819 Joseph, 1633-3 note 
ml819 Joseph, 1633-3 
ml819 Joseph, 16315-2 

1801 Joseph, 19475-6 

1809 Joseph R., 19474-5 
1815 Joseph, 19476-6 
1828 Joseph D., 26577-1 
1833 Joseph J., 26578-1 
1730 Joshua, 1963 

1765 Joshua, 19631 
1781 Joshua, 192J9 
1803 Joshua H., 192J9-1 
1712 Josiah, 226 

1721 Josiah, 1225 
1743 Josiah, 226-1 
1743 Josiah, 1223-3 
1751 Josiah, 12253 
1776 Josiah, 19312-1 
1776 Josiah, 2214-7 
1778 Josiah, 19624-1 
1778 Josiah, 12251-5 
1783 Josiah F., 12253-1 

1796 Josiah, 12237-8 

1797 Josiah R., 192J4-6 

1800 Josiah B., 12256-9 

1802 Josiah D., 12254-J 
1715 Judah,22-7 

ml784 Judah, 2212-3 

1796 Julia W., 12256-7 
1813 Julia, 19476-5 
1824 Julia A. C., 192J9-7 

1810 JudithS., 21725-J 
1783 Julius S., 19316-2 
1780 Justin, 23414 

1611 Justinian, 2, pp. 23, 40, 43 
1644 Justinian, 12 
Justinian, l-3n 
1715 Justinian, 234 
1767 Justinian, 2172-4 
1802 Justinian, 26578 
1836 Justinian, 26577-4 
1788 Justus, 12252-7 

1749 Katherine (v Catherine) 
1223-6 

1726 Kezia, 185-3 
1729 Keziah, 122-8 
1757 Keziah, 1226-5 

1799 Laura, 19312-M 
Lavia, 19347-0 
1774 Lavinia, 192J-6 
1809 Lawson, 12268-7 

1801 Leander, 19348-6 

1797 Lemont, 12238-L 
1751 Lemuel, 19341 


1839 Lenora, 1924J-0 
1843 Lester E., 1924J-P 
1754 Levi, 22J2 
1762 Levi, 2625 
1767 Levi, 19475 
1772 Levi O., 22J1-1 
1780 Levi, 22J2-2 

1780 Levi, 12238-4 

1790 Levi, 26226 
1799 Levi, 22J21-1 

1806 Levi, 19379-5 

1807 Levi, 19475-9 
1817 Levi L., 26226-1 
1822 Levi, 22J25-6 
1753 Levinah, 1226-2 

1777 Lewis, 22J3-1 

1781 Louis (Lewis), 22J1-3 
1783 Lewis, 12263-3 

1783 Lewis, 12237-3 
ml829 Lewis, 22J3-1 
Lewis, 12263-3 

1808 Liberty, 16457-6 
Liberty E., p. vi 

1783 Life, 12234-5 
1767 Lois, 2175-1 

1775 Lois, 1641-8 
1832 Lois, 1924J-L 
1834 Lois, 19248-KM 
1798 Lorenzo, 19346-8 

Lorenzo, 19347-N 
1803 Loretta, 12237-K 
1811 Lorinda, 19434-7 
Lorinda, 19249-21 
Lorinda, 19347-Q 

1785 Lorton, 12238-6 

1769 Louisa, 1965-8 
1789 Louisa, 21723-1 
1820 Louisa, 19652-N 

ml848 Louisa V., 19819-3 
1792 Love, 19347-1 
Lovinia, 1965-9 

1786 Luanda, 12256-2 
1811 Lucinda H., 19627-J 
1810 Lucetta, 192J4-M 
1786 Lucinda, 12256-2 
1797 Lucinda, 19631-3 
1825 Lucinda L., 193K4-5 
1792 Lucretia, 12256-5 
1808 Lucretia J., 19627-9 
1797 Lucie P., 19631 

ml759 Lucy A., 184-3 
1745 Lucy A., 196-9 

1753 Lucy, 1934-2 

1754 Lucy, 226-4 
1762 Lucy, 1991-1 

1770 Lucy, 265-9 
1774 Lucy, 12251-3 

1776 Lucy, 2341-3 

1778 Lucy, 262-12 
1778 Lucy, 12231-7 

1781 Lucy, 2176-7 

1784 Lucy, 2172-J 
1792 Lucy, 2657-3 

1803 Lucy, 19347-6 

1804 Lucy, 21725-7 

1807 Lucy, 23414-1 

1808 Lucy B., 26221-1 
1808 Lucy, 19348-9 

1814 Lucy, 19475-M 

1815 Lucy R., 19915-4 
Lucy, 19484-5 
Lucy, 12263-0 

1791 Luke, 19348-1 

1782 Luther, 193K4 
1786 Luther, 19373-5 

1805 Luther, 16414-6, p. v 
1791 Lyman, 12253-4 
1699 Lydia, 21-1 

1725 Lydia, 194-4 
1735 Lydia, 164-4 
1745 Lydia, 196-9 
1749 Lydia, 217-7 


1761 Lydia, 1925-5 
1753 Lydia, 1966-3 
1763 Lydia, 1966-3 

1771 Lydia, 2173-3 

1772 Lydia, 12231-3 
1775 Lydia, 12252-2 

1782 Lydia, 19251-3 

1783 Lydia, 19312-5 
1785 Lydia, 19471-1 

ml807 Lydia, 19312-5 
1791 Lydia P., 19316-6 

1794 Lydia, 19812-1 

1802 Lydia, 19473-5 
1804 Lydia, 19475-7 
1808 Lydia, 21734-5 

1814 Lydia E„ 21762-9 

(1840 Lydia (-), 12238-L 

1823 Lydia, 1924J-8 

1791 Lyman, 12253-4 
Lyman, 12432-9 

1798 Malinda, 12254-9 

1801 Malinda, 19379-3 
1680 Marah, 12-1 

1818 Marbury M., 193K4-3 
1663 Margaret, R-7 
1782 Margery A., 12221-9 

1815 Margaret J., 19276-9 
1812 Maria, 1947G-4 

Maria, 1981K-2 
1810 Marion, 19273-5 
1829 Marshall EL, 22254-3 
1620 Martha (Fosdick), 1 
1747 Martha, 1223-5 

1759 Martha, 1641-1 

1760 Martha, 1229-3 
1771 Martha, 19313-1 

1803 Martha, 16414-5 

1810 Martha, 1645J-2 

1811 Martha, 19276-7 
1811 Martha W., 16417-8 
1844 Martha P., 26579-7 
1825 Marquis L., 26226-4 
1825 Marvel J., 193K5-6 

1802 Marvin, 19314-9 
Mary, See Patty 

See Polly 
See Molly 
See Marah 
1647 Mary (Rutter), 2 
1679 Mary, 2-4 
1652 Mary, R-3 
ml 666 Mary, 1—4 

dl691 Mary (-), 12 

1699 Mary, R6-8 
?1700 Mary, 16-6 
1707 Mary, 21-5 
1719 Mary, 122-4 
1719 Mary, 22-9 

1724 Mary, R64-1 

1725 Mary, 184-1 
1728 Mary, 194-5 
1732 Mary, 221-3 
1740 Mary, R86-8 

1746 Mary, 223-5 
ml 766 Mary, 1223-5 

1747 Mary, 1223-5 

1750 Mary, R855-S 
1756 Mary, 198-7 
1760 Mary, 2172-1 
1765 Mary, 1645-3 
1767 Mary, 1865-3 
11790 Mary (-), 19657 

1773 Mary A., 2176-3 
ml796 Mary, 1631-6 

1777 Mary, R874-J 

1782 Mary, 2311-3 

1783 Mary, 22J2-3 
1785 Mary G„ 19316-3 

1792 Mary G., 19272-2 
1792 Mary, 12252-8 

1795 Mary A., 21762-2 






424 


INDEX OF HOLDEN NAMES 


1797 Mary, 2622-9 
1800 Mary W., 12297-2 

1800 Mary W., 19657-1 

1801 Mary (-), 19312-1 

1802 Mary A., 22J21-2 

1803 Mary R., 18651-6 
ml 823 Mary, 1924-K2 

1803 Mary, 19624-L 

1804 Mary, 16452-5 

1805 Mary, 18654-4 

1805 Mary A., 192J9-2 

1806 Mary Ann, 16415-6 

ml817 Mary, 2236-3 
ml837 Mary (-), 22J4 

1807 Mary A., 16451-8 

1807 Mary, 16414-7 

1808 Marv, 23414-2 

1809 Mary, 19475-J 

1810 Mary A., 19273-5 

1810 Mary A., 192J7-1 

1811 Mary C., 21728-6 

1813 Mary, 19484-8 

1814 Mary A., 192J4-0 

1815 Mary D. H., 21725-L 

1816 Mary, 22362-4 

1818 Mary A., 19SK5-3 

1819 Mary, 19248-8 

1819 Mary A., 1924J-6 

1820 Mary H., 16459-8 
1823 Mary F., 26226-3 

1826 Mary E., 19761-2 
ml848 Mary, 192J5-J 

1827 Mary A., 18658-8 
*1848 Mary, 22J1-8 

1829 Mary J., 2624-81 
ml849 Mary A., 19819n 
1833 Mary F., 2236K-1 
1833 Mary E., 22254-5 

*1836 Mary A. (-), 19246-4 

Mary, 193K-915 
Mary A., 12432-8 
Mary, 19347-P 
Mary, 19347 note 
Mary E., 19819-9 
Mary, 19914-7 

m Mary (-), 22254-3 

Mary E., 23418-3 
1793 Matilda, 193K-7 
1796 Matilda, 19624-K 
Matilda, 19485-1 
Matilda, 19819-8 

1798 Melinda, 12254-9 
1800 Melintus, 19484-2 
1836 Mellissa, 1924J-N 
1700 Mercy v Mary, 16-6 
1704 Mercy, 21-4 

1752 Mercy, 217-8 
1790 Mercy, 12254-7 
1774 Millv, 2225-3 
1789 Milly, 19251-6 

*1790 Milly, 2341-6 
1810 Millie, 19815-3 
1804 Milton, 192J4-J 
1733 Mindwell, 199-3 
1800 Mira A., 192J4-8 
- Miranda, 1981K-4 
1766 Miriam, 1937-7 
1793 Miriam, 19472-2 
1793 Mittec, 16313-8 
1759 Mollv, 1633-2 
1778 Molly, 19373-1 
1789 Moody, 1925-P 

1753 Moses, 12254 
1755 Moses, 234-6 
1776 Moses, 1925-J 
1782 Moses, 12231-9 
1796 Moses, 19347-3 

1799 Moses, 19627-6 
1807 Moses G., 19914-6 

Moses, 231-2 

1787 Nabby, 193L-5 


1788 Nabbe, 16313-7 

1780 Nancy, 1645-8 

1783 Nancy, 1931^3 

1788 Nancy B. (-), 19316-2 

1792 Nancy, 19274-1 

1794 Nancy (-), 19246-1 

1795 Nancy, 22J3-K 
1801 Nancy, 19627-7 
1807 Nancy, 19815-1 
1812 Nancy, 1925K-5 
1816 Nancy R., 16417-9 
1820 Nancy A., 19276-L 

1738 Naomi, 163-6 
?1756 Naomi, R642-4 

1735 Nathan, 163-5 
1751 Nathan, 12237 
1758 Nathan, 12256 
1773 Nathan, 16456 
1782 Nathan, 19373-3 

1784 Nathan, 16313-5 

1785 Nathan, 26241 

1786 Nathan, 12237-4 

1794 Nathan, 12256-6 

1798 Nathan T., 18651-4 

1799 Nathan D., 16456-2 
1816 Nathan W., 16457-9 
1818 Nathan B., 193K2-1 

Nathan, 26241-4 
1691 Nathaniel, 194 
1721 Nathaniel, 194-2 

1739 Nathaniel, 1865 
<*1740 Nathaniel, 193-9 

1742 Nathaniel, 1974 
1753 Nathaniel, 19624 

1762 Nathaniel, 19473 
1769 Nathaniel, 18654 
1769 Nathaniel, 1974-2 

1781 Nathaniel, 2173-5 
1784 Nathaniel, 16314-3 
1792 Nathaniel, 19471-5 

1795 Nathaniel R., 19274-3 

1800 Nathaniel, 19473-4 
1803 Nathaniel, 18654-3 
1731 Nehemiah, 1927 

1763 Nehemiah, 19273 
1794 Nehemiah, 19273-1 

Nelson, 19818-3 


1805 Obadiah, 12297-4 
ml809 Obed W., 1924-K 

1793 Octavius A., 19316-7 
1768 Olive, 1948-3 

*1771 Olive (-), 198-4 

1795 Olive, 2624-5 
1799 Olive, 2236-7 

dl802 Olive, 19657-6 
1803 Olive P., 12268-4 
<*1820 Olive (etror), 1965-9n 
1812 Olive, 19475-L 

1765 Oliver, 19274 

1766 Oliver, R874-5 

1767 Oliver, 1926-3 

1794 Oliver, 19274-2 

1818 Oliver C., 19276-J 
1808 Orilla, 19375-4 
1842 Orlando, 26479-5 
1827 Orvil, 193K5-7 

Oscar, 19485-J 
*1840 Oscar, 1925K-4 

1796 Otis, 22J2-J 

1819 Otis (James D.), 19484-K 
1821 Otis, 22J24-3 

Pamelia, 19485-9 
1745 Parker, 226-2 

1768 Pattv, 12231-1 
1776 Patty, 2175-2 

1776 Patty (Holden) 21764 
1779 Patty, 19251-1 
1801 Patty, 12253-6 
1779 Paulina, 12238-3 


1793 Peade (Clark), 12237-4 
1773 Peggy 1974-3 
ml794 Peggy, 1974 
1748 Penelope, R855-2 
1805 Perkins, 16417-5 
1705 Peter, 223 
1775 Peter, 16457 
1790 Peter, 22362 
1800 Peter, 16457-2 
1814 Peter S., 22362-1 
1727 Phebe, 184-2 
?1758 Phebe, R642-5 
1762 Phebe, 264-6 
1768 Phebe, 1934-9 
1807 Phebe, 16459-2 
1817 Phoebe, 1924J-5 

*1843 Phebe (-), 12238-J 

1812 Philander, 19627-K 

1725 Philemon, 1934 

1762 Philemon, 19346 

1803 Philemon, 19348-7 

1804 Philemon, 19347-7 
Philemon, 19346-5 + 
Philo, 1645J 

1715 Phineas, 21-8, p. 7 
1744 Phineas, 2175 

1760 Phineas, 19472 

1764 Phineas, 19347 
1772 Phineas H., 192J5 

? 1780 Phineas, 23415 

1792 Phineas H., 192J4-4 
1800 Phineas W., 19347-5 
1778 Polly, 19373-1 

1763 Polly, 1962-6 

1782 Polly, 2311-3 

1783 Pollv, 22J2-3 
1785 Pollv, 22J3-6 
1785 Pollv G., 19316-3 

ml812 Pollv, 12253-5 

1793 Pollv, 19245-1 

1797 Pollv, 19348-4 

1798 Polly, 19347-4 
1798 Pollv, 19314-7 

ml817 Pollv, 2236-3 
ml820 Pollv (Holden), 19379-2 
1804 Pollv, 19627-8 
Pollv, 19651-6 

1777 Priscilla, 2176-5 
Prude, 12237n 

1730 Prudence, 194-6, 1925 
1756 Prudence, 1925-3 

1784 Prudence, 19251-4 
Prudence, 19256-7 

ml716 Rachel, 19-5 

1722 Rachel, 192-3 
1741 Rachel, 1223-2 
*1764 Rachel, 1223-2 

1768 Rachel, 2214-3 

1769 Rachel, 1229-8 
1775 Rachel, 1948-6 

1778 Rachel, 12238-2 
1812 Rachel W„ 16457-7 

Rachel, 19485-3 
Rachel, 12263-J 
Raleigh W„ pp. vi, vii 
1814 Ralph W., 192J5-7 
1814 Ralph J., 192J5-7 
1811 Randa D., 12268-3 
*1479 Randall, p. 28 
<*1624 Randall, p. 28 
1620 Randall, p. 29 
? 1612 Randall, R, pp. v, 29 
1660 Randall, R6 
1694 Randall, R64 

1726 Randall, R642 
1754 Randall, R642-3 

1723 Bebecca, 185-1 
1736 Rebecca, 221-5 
1741 Rebecca, 164-7 

1761 Rebecca, 223-8 

1765 Rebecca, 1965-6 










INDEX OF HOLDEN NAMES 


425 


1766 Rebecca, 1229-6 
1782 Rebeccah, 2214-9 

1787 Rebecca, 12252-6 
1800 Rebecca, 12432-7 
1800 Rebecca, 18654-1 
1804 Rebecca, 19914-4 
1833 Rebecca, 19246-11 

Reed, 193K2-2 
1750 Relief, 193-J 
1758 Relief, 265-4 
1789 Relief, 2657-1 
1770 Reuben, 19633 

1773 Reuben, 22273 

1774 Reuben, 12231-4 
1779 Reuben, 19348-5 

1810 Reuben C., 19316-9 
1813 Reuben A., 2273-6 
1836 Reuben, 23419-1 

il395 Richard, p. 14 
?1556 Richard, pp. 19, 25 
Richard, p. 10 
1609 Richard, 1, pp. 23, 40 

lands of at Groton and 
homestead, p. 82 
1734 Richard, 1965 
1758 Richard, 19651 
1761 Richard S., 19272 
1795 Richard, 19651-3 
1802 Richard S., 19272-5 

1807 Richard, 19652-8 
11286 Robert, p. 12 
1743 Robert, 1981 

1776 Robert, 19815 
Robert W., 265-28 + 

1777 Robert, 19815 
1809 Roekwood, 19474-5 
1763 Roger, 2214-1 
1809 Rogers, 16415-7 

1798 Rosella, 12268-1 

ml839 Rosetta E., p. 343 note 
1 1855 Rosetta E., 19246-12 
11849 Rosetta (-), p.277 note 

1811 Rosilla, 19375-5 
Roswell O., p. ix 

1788 Rowland, 16452-1 
ml837 Roxanna, 19246-5 

1779 Roxy, 193L-1 

1799 Roxy, 19657-3 

1794 Royal, 19475-2 
Rozelynda, 19347n 

1781 Ruel, 22J 3-4 

1789 Rufus J. 12234-6 
1774 Rufus, 1229.T 

1795 Rufus, 19348-3 
1804 Rufus, 2624-8 
1809 Rufus, 19248-3 
1811 Rufus, 12268-8 
1819 Rufus B., 1229J-6 

Rufus, 19248-72 
ml771 Ruhanna, 186-7 

1808 Russell, 193L-K 
1745 Ruth, 186-9 
1748 Ruth, 234-4 
1754 Ruth, 265-2 

?1760 Ruth, R642-6 
1761 Ruth, 1226-7 
1768 Ruth, 2173-2 
1770 Ruth, R874-7 
1776 Ruth, 193K-1 
1815 Ruth, 19245-K 


1786 Sabary, 19312-6 
1782 Sabra, J9346-1 
1790 Salmon, 23418 
1820 Salome, 26243-2 
Salome, 234 J 8-4 
Samuel, p. 9 
1651 Samuel, 16 
1674 Samuel, 21 
dl688 Samuel, 16-2 
1699 Samuel, 164 


1701 Samuel, 21-3 
1729 Samuel, 1641 
1737 Samuel, 2172 
1740 Samuel, 2227 
1752 Samuel, 2621 
1755 Samuel, 12432 
1762 Samuel, 12221-1 

1765 Samuel, 21723 

1766 Samuel, 1641-3 
1769 Samuel, 12231-2 
1769 Samuel, 2227-1 

1771 Samuel, 2214-4 

1772 Samuel, 19484 

1782 Samuel, 2622-2 
1794 Samuel C., 12238-K 
1800 Samuel, 16414-4 

1800 Samuel L., 19245-5 

1801 Samuel, 21723-5 

\ 1811 Samuel K., 16451-41, 
p. 263 

1815 Samuel, 19484-9 

Samuel C., 19819-M 
Samuel, 1924-Kre 
1762 Sally, R642-7 

1783 Sally, 19314-2 
1783 Sally, 2311-4 
1789 Sally, 16451-3 

1791 Sally, 22J3-9 

1792 Sally, 193L-7 
1794 Sally, 19245-2 
1796 Sally, 19812-2 
1796 Sally S., 19256-4 

1796 Sally, 19379-1 

1797 Sallv H„ R642-K1 
W 11821 Sally, 12263-L 

1811 Sally, 12297-7 
Sallv, 19485-L 
Sally A., 19S1K-1 
1658 Sarah, 1-7 
1658 Sarah, R-5 
1691 Sarah, 18-1 
1717 Sara, 192 
ml731 Sarah, 19-L 
1725 Sarah, 185-2 

1729 Sarah, 221-1 

1730 Sarah (-), 1937 

1735 Sarah, 199-4 
1742 Sarah, 1931-1 

7111769 Sarah, 186-J 
1750 Sarah, 1924-2 
7R1770 Sarah, R64-5 

11759 Sarah (-), 194-3 

1757 Sarah, 232-1, 2311 
1757 Sarah, 197-9 
J1776 Sarah, 19316»11 
1762 Sarah, 1948-1 
1764 Sarah, 192J-2 
1767 Sarah, 1963-2 
1767 Sarah, 1645-4 
1767 Sarah, 1925-7 
1769 Sarah, 1937-8 

1771 Sarah, 2227-2 

1772 Sarah, 1229-9 

1773 Sarah, 16313-1 

1774 Sarah,R864-1 
1776 Sarah, 2341-2 

ml780 Sarah (Hill) 262-1 

1780 Sarah, 193IC-3 

1781 Sarah, 19313-6 
1785 Sarah, 2622-4 
1795 Sarah, 19471-6 
1797 Sarah, 12432-6 
1801 Sarah J., 192.15-2 
1803 Sarah, 21762-6 
1808 Sarah, 192J4-L 
1808 Sarah, 19484-6 
1812 Sarah P., 19652-J 
1812 Sarah L„ 193K4-1 
1815 Sarah, 23415-4 
1815 Sarah, 16455-7 
1824 Sarah J., 192J7-4 

ml828 Sarah (Crocker) 19812 


1831 Sarah, 1925K-L 
Sarah, 23418-1 
Sarah, 1981-6 
Sawtell, v 197-9 

1753 Sawtell, 19316 
11776 Sawtell, 19316nll 
11818 Selwyn, 23418 
1793 Seth, 12254-7 

1782 Sewall, 1925-M 

1783 Silas, 18658 
1789 Silas, 2214K 
1798 Silas, 2236-6 
1820 Silas, 18658-5 

?1825 Silas, 19245-7 

1825 Silas M., 2214K-1 
Silas, 1981-N 

dl779 Simeon, 2212-4 

1784 Simeon, 12256-1 
11357 Simon, p. 13 
1700 Simon, 197 
1731 Simon,1937 
1757 Simon, 19373 
1768 Simon, 1974-1 
1780 Simon,19373-2 

1785 Solomon, 1924J 
1810 Solomon, 19651-4 

1826 Solomon B., 1924J-9 
Solomon, 1981-0 

1792 Sophia, 19624-9 
1808 Sophia, 1645J-1 
1823 Sophia M., 193K5-5 

1832 Sophia R., 22J25-J 
1849 Sophia E., 26577-9 
1840 Sophia A., 26226-9 

Sophia, 19651-7 
Sophia, 1965-9 
ml819 Sophronia, 12264-2 

1798 Sophronia, 12256-8 
1813 Sophronia C., 19474-6 
1823 Sophronia, 1924S-J 
1789 Squire, 19346-4 
1792 Stacy H., 12238-J 
1642 Stephen, 11, 

1659 Stephen, 19 
1690 Stephen, 193 
dl688 Stephen, 19-1 
1717 Stephen, 262 
1720 Stephen, 1931 
1745 Stephen, 19313 
1755 Stephen, 2622 
1766 Stephen, R642-9 
1771 Stephen, 2225-1 
1774 Stephen, 19314-1 

1777 Stephen, 19313-4 

1778 Stephen, 21734 

1788 Stephen, 193K5 

1789 Stephen, 19312-8 
1797 Stephen, 2624-6 

1803 Stephen, 21734-2 
1819 Stephen M., 26226-2 

Stephen, 12253-3 
Stephen, 1931n 

1804 Stillman, 19379-4 
1807 Stillman, 12256-K 
1810 Stillman, 19318-1 
1729 Submit, 193-6 

il803 Submit (-), 19313-4 

1799 Susa, 19474-2 
1799 Sukey,19474-2 
1809 Sukey, 19812-9 
1670 Susan, R-J 

1809 Susan H., 2236-L 
1825 Susan E., 22254-1 

Z1848 Susan (-), 19341 

1785 Susan A., R874-M 
1692 Susanna, R8-3 
1694 Susannah, 12-5 
1699 Susanna, 21-2 
ml743 Susannah (Hall) 1222 
11776 Susanna L., 19314n 
1759 Susannah, 1937-4 
1765 Susannah, 12221-2 







426 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


1774 Susannah, 2172-7 

1775 Susannah, 19313-3 
1779 Susanna, 2176-0 

1782 Susannah, 1981-7 
1793 Susanna, 18651-1 
1796 Susanna, 2657-6 
1822 Susannah, 23415-6 

m Susanna (-), 19347-5 

1727 Sybil (-), 1241 

1754 Sybil, 1241-5 

1803 Sybil, 16451-7 
1766 Sylvanus, 19348 
1779 Sylvanus, 192J-8 
1788 Sylvanus, 19346-3 

1793 Sylvanus, 19348-2 
1738 Sylvester, 19314-4 

Sylvia (-), 23419 

1835 Sylvius H., 26577-3 

1815 Tarbel, 1645J-4 

1795 Tellenda, 19256-3 

1783 Thankful, 22J1-4 
1798 Thankful, 2625-2 

1794 Theodore, 19347-2 
Theodore, 193K-911 
Theodore G., 19347n 

1791 Theresa, 16451-4 
1828 Therza A., 19347-J 
1791 Thirza, 16451-4 
Zl 679 Thomas, 1-J 
1700 Thomas, 185 
1723 Thomas, 1226 
1741 Thomas, R874 
1749 Thomas, 197-7 

1758 Thomas, R874-1 

1759 Thomas, 1226-6 
1768 Thomas, R642-J 
1770 Thomas, 16415 

1778 Thomas, 1925K 

1779 Thomas, 22J21 
1781 Thomas R., 16314-2 

1796 Thomas, 2625-1 
1798 Thomas, 16415-2 
1798 Thomas F., 19274-4 
1802 Thomas C., 12268-3 

1804 Thomas, 22J21-3 
1818 Thomas W., 19276-K 


1821 Thomas B., 1925L-4 
1824 Thomas V., 19819-2 
(1830 Thomas, 1925K-3 
ml856 Thomas, 16415-2n 
Thomas, 12263-2 
(1830 Thomas, 1925K-3 
1758 Tilly, 226-5 
1784 Tilly, 22254 

1732 Timothy, 163-4 
1760 Timothy, 19652 

1781 Timothy, 19312-4 
1817 Timothy H., 19652-M 

Timothy, 12263-4 
1784 Tryphena, 12432-1 
1791 Tryphena, 19652-1 

1696 Wait, R6-5 

Wait (Holden), R80 
1741 Waite, R86-9 
?1764 Waite, R642-8 
1791 Walter, 21723-2 
1803 Walter, 19485-2 
1788 Warren, 22J2-6 
1817 Warren, 22J25-4 

1733 Wethian, R87-1 

1782 Welthian, R874-I. 

1714 “widow” (?Abigail), 223 
1793 Willard, 19346-6 

1809 Willard G., 19652-9 
1821 Willard, 1229J-7 
11375 William de, p. 14 
1580 William, p. 23 

William, pp. v, 10 
dl619 William, p. 22 
ml618 William, p. 24 
dl621 William, pp. 19, 24 
Zl 640 William, p. 34 
ml721 William, 1186 
ml725 William, 196 
1713 William, 217 
1723 William, 124-4 

1728 William, R864 

1729 William, 1962 
1739 William, 2173 
1739 William, 1222-3 
1757 William, 1243-3 
1764 William, 19627 


1768 William, 16414 

1769 William, 12221-4 
1772 William, 12221-4n 

1772 William, R874-8 

1773 William, 12411-5 
1777 William, 21728 
1777 William A., R864-2 

1785 William, 22.11-5 
ml814 William, 19341-2 

1786 William W., 12432-2 

1789 William, 22,13-8 

1790 William C., 192.14-2 

1794 William X., 19627-3 

1795 William, 16414-2 
1797 William W., 19254-4 

1799 William P., 16456-3 

1800 William G., 19276-3 
1804 William, 21734-3 
1804 William, 19272-6 
1809 William, 19476-1 
1809 William, 19815-2 
1815 William D., 19818-2 
1815 William P., 19914-9 
1819 William, 20241-3 
1819 William S., 1925L-S 
1819 William, 26241-3 

1833 William, 18658-J 

1843 William, 26226-K 

1844 William IT., 26577-8 
1849 William E.. 2236K-5 

William, 19347-2 + 
William, p. 317 note 
William, 19341-2 
Wilson, p. 315 
1790 Wilson, 192J4-2 

1794 Xerxes W., 19627-3 

1750 Zacariah, 19315 
(1791 Zacariah, 19315-1 
(1810 Zacariah, 19315-1 

1795 Zellenda, 19256-3 
1772 Zeruiah, 2172-6 

Zilpha (-). R874-5 

1834 Zimri H., 193K4-8 
ml842 Zipporah, 22361-2 

1783 Zophar, 19624-4 


NAMES OTHER THAN HOLDEN 


ABBOTT 

ml715 George, 1-77 
ml837 Mary A., 23415-2 
1698 Rebecca (Swan), 1-77 

ABORN 
Anthony, p. 396 
James, p. 396 
John, p. 396 
Mary, p. 896 
Mercy, p. 396 
1698 Phebe (Rhodes), R8S 
(1724 Samuel, p. 396 
Samuel, p. 396 
Wait, p. 396 

ADAMS 

1812 Alanson, 1925-N3 
1738 Dorothy, 1965 
ml861 Edgar A., 192J4-8J 
7711868 Ellen, 2657-35 

Eliza J., 192J-63 


7711709 Hannah, 122 
1824 John, 1925-N7 
7711789 Jonathan, 184-25 
?1820 Lucas, 1925-N6 
?1820 Lucius, 1925-N7 
7711850 Melinda, 2657-35 
77i P., 1925-N 

Sally, 1925-N 1 
1811 Serinda, 1925-N2 
7711895 Mrs., 19248-6 

ALDEN 

7711849 Emily, 21764-7 
ml791 Prudence, 12237 

ALDRICH 
7711783 Dolly, 12221 

Horace, 19819-1 

ALEXANDER 
1861 Nellie M., 18658-71 
7711847 Samuel, 18658-7 


ALLEN 

ml757 Abigail (Holden) rl96-8 
tti1827 Amanda M., 1924J 
tti1757 David, v 196-8 
7711827 David O., 265-69 
tti1726 James, R-J5 
7711810 Pamelia, 19373-6 
7711831 Sophia, 19652-8 
77i Susan, 23418 

AMES 

7711825 Elizabeth, 22J3-33 
7711845 Elisha, 2622-52 

AMIDON 
1737 Margery, 12221 

AMSDEN 
(1698 Isaac, p. 58 
(1716 John, p. 57 

Jane (Rutter), p. 58 







INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


427 


AMSBURY-ORMSBEE 

d 1787 John, RS55-4 

ANDERSON 

ml840 Thomas P., 12254-83 
ANGIER — see AUGIER 

ARBUCKLE 
<21863 John, 1965-41 

ARCHER 

m Caroline, 12231-9 

m Henry, 1931-75 

ARMOR 

ml850 Harriet J., 19272-41 
ARMSTRONG 

-,19651-1 

ARNOLD 

1799 Almv, R874-92 
ml801 Daniel, RS74-L 
1801 Elizabeth, 2172-91 
ml730 Elizabeth (Stafford), R-55 
Harris, RS74-94 

1806 Harvey, R874-94 
ml730 Israel, R-55 

1807 Jane, 2172-94 
1805 James, 2172-93 

ml800 Joseph, 2172-9 
1809 Joseph, 2172-95 
1803 Mary, 2172-92 
1801 Oliver, R874-93 

Phebe A. (Low), R642-K2 
21710 Phebe, R-Jl 
ml714 Philip, R-J2 

Robert, R872-27 
Sarah (Gorton), R642-J 
1694 Susannah (Greene), R-J2 
Zurial P., R872-29, 
R872-2J 

ARRINGTON 
ml 836 James W., 192J4-0 

1837 Mary A., 192J4-01 
1841 Sarah L., 192J4-03 

ARTHUR 
1722 Abigail, 163-2 
ml881 Lizzie M., 19652-N4 

ASHE 

ml 807 Catharine, 1229-31 

ATHERTON 
ml794 Betsey, 19473 
ml823 Lusebia, 12251-8 

ATKINS 

ml825 Hannah (Cash), 19313-5 
m J., 21762-8 

ATWELL 
ml 879 Briget, 192J4 
m Andrew, 19819-9 

ml788 Jane, 16314 

ATWOOD 
ml788 Jane, 16315 

AUGIER 

1826 Asa H., 19471-66 

1838 Calista, 19471-6K 
1830 Dorcas, 19471-68 
1820 Elmira, 19471-63 
1828 Rawson, 19471-67 

ml816 Silas, 19471-6 
1822 Silas, 19471-64 
1824 Samuel, 19471-65 
1817 Sarah J., 19471-61 

AUSTIN 

ml803 Phebe, 1963 
AVERY 

ml852 Dorothy E., 18651-55 
Zena B., 192J4-03n 

AYRAULT 
1762 Abigail, 12432 


BABCOCK 
1790 Betsey, 12231-4 
ml818 Robert P., 1229-35 

BACKUS 

ml 854 Oswald, 264-28 + 

1855 Oswald P., 265-28 + 
11908 Oswald P., 265-28 + 
11911 Sidney K., 265-28 + 

Waldemus D., 265-28 + 

BACON 
1753 Abigail, 12251 
1760 Abigail, 122-75 
ml802 Edward, 265-24 
ml841 Emeline, 12254-81 
1755 Hannah, 122-73 
1748 Hannah, 12252 
ml 829 Isaac, 19273-2 
ml 812 Joel, 12256-4 
1835 Joseph A., 19472-19 
1719 Josiah, 122-7 
1753 Josiah, 122-72 
1827 Lucia H„ 19472-17 
ml814 Lucy, 19341-2 
1765 Mary, 122-77 
1767 Reuben, 122-78 
1751 Solomon, 122-71 
m!826 Samuel, 19472-1 
1829 Samuel N„ 19472-18 

BADGER 

ml813 Lucinda, 12238-1 
BAKER 

1820 Adaline A., 12254-91 
m Adin F., 26243-23 

m Amon, 19484-69 

Elizabeth, 12221-8 
ml803 Elizabeth, R864-2 
ml819 Ezra, 12254-9 
1827 Ezra F., 12254-93 
1823 George F., 12254-92 
ml814 George A., 2624-5 
1817 George H., 2624-51 

1831 Harriet E„ 12254-94 
m Izanah, 19484-6K 

m John, 1229-22 
m Lincoln, 19484-65 
ml837 Louisa, 19379-7 
1750 Mary A., 2176 
ml 839 Orrin, 19471-25 

1821 Roxa, 2624-3 
1726 Ruth, 1226 

ml835 Sarah N„ 19471-21 

1826 Sumner, 2824-4 
1744 Thankful, 2175 
1819 Willard, 2624-2 

BALCOM 
ml757 Jonas, 222-1 

BALDWIN 
ml822 Betsy, 18651-4 
<11827 Hannah, 1925K 
ml772 Phebe, 21-67 

BALL 

1841 Abbie E„ 193L-J4 
Edward, v 193L-4 
ml8S3 Edward H., 193L-J 
1846 Homer E., 193L-J6 

1827 Julia, 193L-J1 

1832 Lorence, 193L-J2 
1844 Le Roy, 193L-J5 
1839 Rolla B., 193L-J3 

BALLARD 

ml777 Elizabeth (-), 16314 

ml811 Jeremiah, 264-3 

BARBER 

ml826 Hannah M., 12253-1 
BARKER 

ml769 William, 222-6 


BARNARD 
ml 773 Edmond, 265-3 
1797 Edmond, 265-36 
1783 Elizabeth, 265-34 
1780 Hannah, 265-33 
1788 Mary, 265-35 

1788 Polly, 265-30 
ml812 Priscilla, 19SK5 

BARNEY 
11750 Thomas, 21-53 

BARNUM 

ml845 Alonzo F., 2622-44 
BARLOW 

ml816 Betsey, 1229-34 

BARRASS, see BARROWS 
Adin, 19245-12 
Anna, 19245-14 
11815 Isaac, 19245-1 
Betsy, 19245-11 
Rosetta, 19245-14 

BARRETT 
ml820 Eunice, 19251-9 
ml817 Hannah, 19251-7 

James, brother-in-law of 
Richard Holden, p. 55 
1725 Samuel, 221-1 
1773 Samuel, 221-11 

BARROWS, see BARRASS 
Amy A., 1924J-71 
Anna S., 1924J-72 
ml 855 David, 1924J-7 
ml869 William E., 192J7-41 

BARTLETT 
J. Gardner, p. ix 
ml780 Lucy, 19341 

Rebecca, R872-26 
ml863 Sally J., 192J4-L4 

BARTON 

11750 Holden, R8-4S1 
ml736 Rufus, R8-43 

BASS 

11870 Joel, 192462 
ml823 Nathaniel, 1924-K2 

BASSETT 
ml803 Abigail, 19273 

BATCHELDER 
m John, 23418-1 

BATES 

ml843 Susan A., 16415-7 
BATHRICK 
ml791 Polly, 19348 

BEAMAN 

ml868 Hannah, 1924J-P 

1789 Amey, 1924J 

BEARD 

ml824 Amanda J. R., 16417-2 
<11718 Andrew, 1-43 
1672 Mary (Williams), 1-43 

BEAL 

ml735 Hannah, 217 
BEALS 

ml839 Orissa, 192J-65 
BEATTY 

ml812 Elizabeth, 12221-8 

BELCHER 
11744 Elizabeth, 184re 

BELDEN-BELDING 
m John, 12221-5 
ml795 Prudence, 12411-5 
11750 -, 21-57 

BEMIS 

ml751 Abigail, 262 

ml845 Cemantha G., 2624-54 





428 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


BENNETT 
0740 Anthony, R8-1 
0740 Frances, R8-1 
ml841 Ellen, 16415-4 
? 1685 Job, RS-1 
11740 Job, R8-1 

ml858 Lucy S. (-), 19475-9 

ml716 Penelope, R85 
11740 Penelope, R8-1 
ml817 Susan, 19651-2 

BICKFORD 

ml798 William, 265-21 

BICKNELL 

ml831 Mary A. B. J., 21764-S 

BIGELOW 
Augustus, 19SK-65 
Charles, 193K-68 
Darius, 193K-66 
1767 Deborah, 2657 

Hartwell, 193K-64 
ml812 John, 193K-6 
John, 193K-61 
Matilda, 193K-63 
Orson, 193K-62 
d 1846 Polly, 193K2 
ml761 Sarah, 1963 

Sarah, 193K-69 
Stephen, 193K-67 
1770 Susannah, 2657 

BILLINGS 

1843 Adriana, 192J4-M2 
1850 Clarence H., 192J4-M5 
1841 Lyman, 192J4-M1 
1847 Sarah A., 192J4-M4 
ml840 Uriah, 192J4-M 
1841 Sarah E., 12297-9 
BILLS 

ml818 Abner, 192J-26 

BIRCHARD 

ml851 Lucy A., 22J3-32 

BIRD 

ml833 Elisha, 21762-8 
1739 Ezekiel, 217-4 

1777 Ezekiel, 217-42 
1775 Hannah H., 217-41 

1778 Samuel, 217-43 

BLACKLOCK 

ml873 Harriet (-), 19248-3 

BLAISDELL 

ml848 Mary A., 23415-2 

BLAKE 

ml852 Melinda P., 2176-73 

BLANCHARD 
1853 Charles A., 1924J-K1 
ml851 Daniel, 1924J-K 
Ida M., 1924J-P1 
ml857 James, 1924J-N 
1812 Jane, 1925-04 
1810 Louisa B., 1925-03 
ml806 Seth, 1925-0 
<0888 Louisa B., 1925L-4 
ml804 Millie, 19815 
0850 Peter, 19633 
ml852 Ruth, 1924J-M 
1886 Warren W., 1924J-P1 + 

BLANDIN 

ml824 Melinda, 19312-4 

BLOOD 
1734 Caleb, 192-9 
1755 Caleb, 192-91 
1762 David, 192-94 
0800 Elizabeth (Farnsworth), 
192-9 

m Emma, 19254 
1757 Hannah, 192-92 
1759 John,192-93 
ml763 Sarah, 1925 


BOICE-BOYCE 

1842 Atta E., 193K4-31 

1843 Emily, 193K4-32 
ml871 Lucv, 1924J-44 
ml841 William C., 193K4-3 

BOLTON 

ml779 Mary, 19471 

BOND 

ml859 Samuel F., 19472-36 
1722 Abigail, 1225 

BOURN 

1859 Charles M., 26226-91 
1863 Ella Adelaide, 26226-93 
1866 Frederick William, 
26226-94 

1857 Marshall H., 26226-9 
BOWDEN, see BOYDEN 

BOWERS 
m Ann, 16415-7 
ml823 Anne, 192J7 
m William, 16314-4 
ml812 William, 19313-9 

BOWKER 

ml844 Catherine W„ 19472-24 
BOYD 

ml828 Caroline, 1229-29 

BOYDEN 
1683 Benjamin, 1-36 
1670 Elizabeth, 1-32 
?1677 Elizabeth (Lakin), 1-34 

?1674 Hannah (-), 1-33 

1672 John,1-33 
1675 Jonathan, 1-34 
1678 Joseph, 1-35 
ml737 Lydia (Larkin-Sheple), 
1-34 

1667 Martha, 1-31, p. 30 
0917 Mary S., l-34n 

?1680 Rebecca (-), 1-35 

1639 Thomas, 1-3, p.30 

BOYNTON 

ml866 Rachel (Elliott), 19252-9 
m Sarah, 19256 

BOX 

ml842 Eveline P. M. R. 21764-3 
BRADFORD 

1804 Elizabeth L., 192J4-9 

BRADSHAW 

Alice, 194S4-5 

BRAGDON 

ml8S9 Joseph J., 2622-42 

BRAINERD 

ml814 Sarah, 192J4-2 

BREEDEN 
ml797 Abner, 1645-8 
1806 Abner, 1645-84 
1816 Aaron, 1645-88 
1812 Franklin, 1645-86 
1814 Harris, 1645-87 
1810 Lewis, 1645-85 
1802 Mary, 1645-83 
1798 Nancy, 1645-81 

BREWER 
ml725 Hannah, R-96 
0720 Rebecca, R-9S 

BREWSTER 
ml827 Sally H., 21723-5 

BRIGGS 

ml847 Harriet A., 12256-37 
ml844 Samantha, 12256-34 
ml755 Susanna, 163-4 

BRIGHAM 

1837 Emeline F„ 19815-4 
1770 Elizabeth (Marean), 2657 


ml825 Lvdia, 16456-3 
ml832 Phebe, 19815-2 

BRINTNALL 
ml797 Hannah W., 16457 

BROOKBANK 

m John W., 19276-87 

BROOKS 

1729 Isaac, 186-2 
1757 Isaac, 186-22 
1755 Joanna,186-21 
1765 Mary, 186-23 

Joanna (Holden), 1853, 
186-2 

m John, 2236K-2 
ml806 Lucy, 26221 

BROWER 

ml841 Sarah, 22J24-2 

BROWN 

ml847 Betsey, 18658-5 
0800 Burnell, 22J1-4 
ml877 Eliza K., 192J4-8K 
ml790 Elizabeth, 16414 

Elizabeth T., 22J1-41 
ml860 Harriet L., 26577-4 
ml809 Jerusha, 192J7 
ml845 Jerusha A., 12297-9 
ml813 Joseph, 265-91 

Margaret, R874-75 
ml855 Rachel A., 21725-73 

1730 Sarah, 1937n 
ml796 Sarah, 12297 
ml832 Susan, 26577 

m Thomas, 19484-67 
ml800 William, 265-1 
ml892 Mrs. -, 19248-6 

BROWNSON 
ml850 Isaac K., 12254-76 

BRUCE 

0830 Cyrus, 19245-21 
ml787 Joanna, 1981 

BRUSH 

ml852 Emily F., 22J25-8 

BRYANT 

1840 Martha (Davidson), 
19276-Sln 
ml801 Nancy, 1925K 
ml832 Rebecca, 18654-3 
ml803 Sophia, 1925K 

BUCK 

ml834 Letitia, 19248-4 

BUCKNAM 

0780 Anna, 185-32 

Deborah, 197-31 

BUELL 

1826 William P., 18651-55 
ml827 Frances S„ 19471-5 
1823 John H., 18651-53 
1825 James F., 18651-54 
1821 Charles H., 18651-52 
ml819 Daniel, 18351-5 
1840 Daniel E., 1S651-5L 
1820 Eliza A., 18651-51 
m Eliphalet, 12432-3 
1828 Horace P., 18651-56 
1838 Harrison II., 18651-5K 
1835 Martha J., 18651-59 

BULLARD 
1799 Aaron S., 1229-36 
1805 Anna, 1229-37 
1799 Hannah, 1229-35 
ml781 Isaac, 1229-3 
1791 Isaac A., 1229-34 
1784 Justus, 1229-31 
1788 Mary, 1229-33 
1786 Patty, 1229-32 
m!746 Samuel, 199 







INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


429 


BULLOCK 
A. L., p. vi 
Grace Ellen, 1229n 
BUNTON 

ml800 Andrew, 192J-6 
1800 Andrew, 192J-61 
1805 David, 192J-63 
1810 Jesse, 192J-65 
1807 Sarah J., 192J-64 
1812 Sylvanus, 192J-66 
1814 William, 192J-67 

BURGESS 

ml 847 Clarissa, 193K4-2 
1776 Ebenezer, 1948-6 
Eliza, 1948-64 
11845 Eliza, 1948-4 
ml873 Helen S., 2236K-3 
ml835 James, 192J5-8 
dl840 Paulina, 1948-62 
ml851 Sarah E., 193K4-6 
11845 Susan, 1948-63 

BURLINGAME 
ml854 Adeline, 19475-K2 
Phebe, R874-1 
Sarah, R874-4 

BURNAM 
1768 Abigail, 223-42 
ml766 Benjamin, 223-4 
1766 Lemuel, 223-41 

BURNETT 

1821 Andrew H., 2622-51 
1823 Caroline I., 2622-52 
11820 Henry, 2622-5 

ml852 Mary E., 2622-8 
ml820 Sherebiah, 2622-8 
1827 Stephen H., 2622-53 

BURTON 

ml845 George H., 193K5-5 
ml862 Otis W„ 19474-14 

BUSHNELL 

ml816 Nancy B., 21723-2 
1721 Zerviah, 21-8 
11721 Zerviah (Leffingwill) p. 87 
11721 Benajah, p. 87 

BUSSELL 

11830 Ebenezer, 1645J-2 
Ellis, 1645J-21 
Georgiana, 1645J-22 
John E., 1645J-23 
Martha E., 1645J-24 

BUTTERFIELD 
ml820 Charlotte, 18651-3 

BUTTRICK 
11842 Edwin L., 265-351 
1778 Horatio G., 265-35 
Nancy W., 265-352 

BUTTS 

dl841 Susannah, 2172-4 
BYAM 

ml837 Laura, 1865-52 
CADY 

Freeman, R872-29 
CALL 

ml 805 Esther, 19248 
ml 757 Martha, 1641 
m Stephen, 19245-9 

CALLANDER 
ml862 Andrew, 1924J-0 
1863 Charles A., 1924J-01 
1869 Margaret A., 1924J-02 

CANDAGE 
ml754 Mary, 1633 

CANN 

1822 Hannah B. (Smith), 

19914-13 


CANNING 

ml873 Reginald, 192J7-42 
CAPEN 

ml775 Ebenezer, 217-8 
1785 Ebenezer, 217-82 
1779 John, 217-81 
1792 Phineas, 217-84 
1788 Thomas, 217-83 

CARDEN 

ml701 Elizabeth (Paine), R-31 

CARDER 
11700 Hannah, p. 379 
1742 Hannah, R864 
ml671 John, R-3 
1673 John, R-31 
1652 Mary (Holden) R3 

Mary (-), p. 379 

1677 Mary, R32 
11708 Mary (Richardson), R-34 
dl708 Richard, R-34 
Richard, p. 379 
dl708 William, R-33 

CARLTON 

ml830 Lucy R., 19473-7 

CARPENTER 
ml837 Charles S., 19246-5 
11840 James, 1924J-8 
1823 Lydia (Holden), 1924J-8 

CARR 

?1677 Frances (Holmes), R-13 
11700 Nicholas, R-13 

CARTER 
ml697 Bethia, 1-45 
ml839 Ebenezer, 2341-25 
ml865 Josiah E., 12254-89 
ml734 John, 12-14 
ml734 Rachel (Foskett), 12-14 
CARY 

ml847 Thomas W., 18651-62 
CARYL 

ml798 Irena, 12268 
CASE 

dl756 Elizabeth (Stafford), R-55 
11720 William, R-55 

CASH 

ml825 Hannah, 19313-5 
CHAFFIN 

ml825 Betsey E. M„ 26221-6 
ml813 Lucy, 19346-4 

CHALLES 
ml828 Sarah, 1641-82 

CHAMBERLAIN 
ml828 John, 19812 
ml829 Hannah, 19812-7 
ml 830 Mary, p. 321 
ml819 Mercy, 19827-1 

CHAPEL 
ml787 Lydia, 2214-2 
CHAPIN 

ml817 Joseph, 19627-5 
11877 William, 19627-51 

CHAPLIN 
ml801 Moses, 1934-21 
CHAPMAN 

ml825 Elvira S., 1981-32 
CHASE 

ml 870 Cornelia, 19472-19 
ml831 Otis N., 1865-33 
CHENEY 
1784 Milly, 12231-5 
CHILD 

ml821 Catherine T., 16414-2 
CHILDS 

Rebecca (Hale), 192J-3L 


CHIPMAN 

ml797 Abigail, 12251-2 
CHUBBUCK 

ml862 Malantha E„ 26579-4 

CHURCHILL 
11830 Asa, 19484-8 
1834 Clarissa, 19484-82 
11850 Clarissa, 19484-14 
1840 Harrison, 19484-85 
1844 Hartwell, 19484-87 

1842 Horatio, 19484-86 
1836 John,19484-83 
1832 Josephine, 19484-81 

11860 Josephine, 19484-15 

CHUTE 

dl858 Mary, 19343-5 

CL AM ROD 
dl809 John H., 1631-6 

CLAP-CLAPP 

1821 Caroline, 2176-64 
m Ebenezer, 21764 
dl860 Ebenezer, 2175-2 

1802 Edward, 2176-52 
1812 James B., 2176-54 

1816 Jane, 2176-55 
ml803 John, 2176-5 

1809 John, 2176-53 
1804 Lucv, 2176-51 
ml792 Sarah, 21762 
ml815 Samuel, 2176-6 
1819 Samuel A., 2176-63 

1817 Susannah B., 2176-62 

1822 Timothy, 2176-65 

CLARK-CLARKE 

1843 Albert, 23414-7 

m Alice H., 12254-7K note 
1732 Anna, 1229 
1696 Benjamin, 21-1 
ml810 Betsy, 198-8 note 
Caroline, 19351-81 
ml807 Daniel, 19312-5 
(1866 David, 19651-8 

1844 Edwin, 23414-8 
ml779 Experience, 12237 
ml809 Experience, 12237-4 
ml816 Harriet, 122;4-7 

(1880 Jane, 1924J-44 
1699 Lydia (Holden), 21-1 
Mary, 19651-83 
ml 834 Pliny, 19373-72 
Ruth, 19651-82 
ml 805 Samuel, 12237-2 
ml842 Samuel, 23414-1 
Uriah, p. 85 
PT uiVFS 

ml820 Sarah F.*(-), 19761 

CLEMENT 

ml 830 Elizabeth, 19243-3 

CLEVELAND 
ml831 Aaron, 1641-63 
m Enos, 1641-62 
ml834 Henry, 1641-65 
ml855 W'illiam D., 19249-42 

CLEVERLY 
ml803 Sally, 186-J2 

CLIFTON 
ml821 Lucy, 192J-27 
CLOSSON 

ml774 Abigail (Patty), 19312 
(1796 Lucy A., 19273 
CLOTHIER 
(1825 John, 19245-6 
COBB 

Hannah (Walker), 12231-14 
ml 825 Lewis, 19475—8 
(1845 N. W., 19373-77 




430 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


COBURN 

1802 Clarissa, 1865-35 
ml852 Esther L. N., 192J7-5 
1807 Joanna, 1865-33 
ml892 John P., 1865-42 
1795 Mary, 1865-32 
1794 Nathaniel, 1865-34 
ml790 Oliver, 1865-3 
1791 Oliver, 1865-31 
ml813 Polly, 18658 

-, 192J-3K 

COCKE 

ml869 Emma J., 18651-56 

CODMAN 

m Michael, 1229-24 

COEYMAN 

m Caroline, 22J21-4 
COLBURN 
11787 Francis, 186-23 
ml875 Lucinda, 192J5-7 
COLBY 

1828 Almira A., 19484-13 
11820 Ambrose, 19484-1 
1837 Helon N., 19484-16 
1823 Jane H., 19484-11 
1833 Jonas H., 19484-14, 
19484-82 

1825 Philander, 19484-12, 
19484-23 

1835 Spencer C., 19484-15 
m Spencer, 19484-81 

COLE 

11850 Harriet P„ 19471-67 

COLEMAN 
1800 Deborah, 1981-31 
1823 Lydia (Holden), 1924J-8 
11850 George, 1924J-8 
ml872 Martin W., 1981K-21 
Robert P., 1981K-21 + 
ml799 Rowland, 1981-3 
1804 Rowland, 1981-32 

COLLINS see HOOKWAY 
ml850 Diana, 2622-53 
ml723 Elizabeth, R-92 
COMSTOCK 
11852 Esther, 193K5-6 

CONANT 
ml848 Edwin, 19819-3 
ml846 Clara, 192J-66 

Sarah (Hale), 192J-38 

COOK 

11810 Duncan, 19373-8 
ml778 Hannah, 19316 
ml832 Lydia A., 21764-5 
ml825 Rachel L., 19316-5 
ml835 Samuel, 1947-9 

COOLEDGE-COOLIDGE 
ml841 George J., 2341-2K 
d 1775 Joseph, 21-43 
1741 Mary (Jennison), 21-63 
11740 Mercy, 21-41 
11750 Mary, 21—45 
ml764 Simon, 21-63 

CONGDON 
ml701 Benjamin, R-54 
ml701 Prances (Stafford) R-54 

CONNELL 

ml804 Persis, 265-23 

CONNELLY 
?1715 John, 16-11 
1718 Rebecca (Leatherbee)16-ll 

CONVERSE-CONVERS 
ml823 Abigail, 16414 
Allen, p. 74 
dl679 Hannah, p. 74 
1765 Jesse, 164-29 


COOPER 

ml869 Lucinda D., 26579-8 
COPELAND 

ml842 Evelene P. M. R. (Box), 
21764-3 

CORBIN 

ml858 Horace A., 19474-B 
COREY 

1731 Benjamin, 193-8 
1754 Eunice, 193-81 

COTTEN-COTTON 
ml824 Mary, 22J29 
m Sally M., 19818 

COTTLE 

1805 Cynthia, 19313 note 
COTTRELL 
ml736 John, R-9J 

COUCH 

Cynthia, 19248-83 
ml 843 Erastus, 19248-8 
Libbie, 19248-82 
Mary, 19248-81 

COX 

ml 752 Mary, 16-53 
ml811 Samuel, 21761-1 

COWDREY-COUDREY 
1879 Albert J., 26226-96 
ml836 Almira, 16459-5 
ml873 John R., 26226-9 
1874 Lillie F. E., 26226-95 

COWEE 

ml818 Farwell, 265-85 
1759 Sarah, 122-46 

COWELL 

ml 804 Persis, 265-23 

CRAFTS 

ml852 Jeffrey T., 2622-81 
CRAGIN 

ml837 Dorcas B., 22273-5 
ml 891 Rebecca, 19633-1 

CRAIG 

11840 Alexander, 19248-J 
11785 Mary, 19347 

CRAM 

ml 847 Abigail P., 18651-53 
1832 Albert IL, 192J4-L4 
1844 Adeline L., 192J4-L7 
1839 Charles E., 192J4-L6 
ml853 Clarissa, p. 343, note 
1837 Frank W., 192J4-L5 
ml827 George W., 192J4-L 
1849 Henry B., 192J4-L8 
11888 George W., 192J4-L4 + 
1828 George H., 192J4-L1 

CRAMFORD (PCRAWFORD) 
ml808 Marcus, 19312-9 

CRAMPTON 

ml848 Eliza A., 12297-8 

CRANNELL 
11840 Amanda, 19245-26 

CRAPON (PCRAPOU) 
m Albert, 19819-7 

CRAWFORD see CRAMFORD 
ml781 Deborah, 19314 

CRESSE 

1717 Sarah (Russell), 193 

CROCKER 
Frank, 19812-94 
George, 19812-92 
Harvey, 19812-91 
m James, 19812-9 

Rufus, 19812-93 

ml819 Sally, 16315-2, p. 155 note 
ml795 Sarah,19812 


CROCKETT 

1862 Charles W., 18658-64 
ml845 Earlsworth, 18658-6 
1854 Georgie E., 18658-63 
1848 Leroy E., 1S638-61 
1852 Oscar H., 18658-62 

CROSBY 

1775 Jane, 21728 

CROWLEY 

dl855 Eliza (Holden), 193K2-5 

CUMMINGS 
1797 Betsy, 192J-26 
ml787 Benjamin, 192J-2 

Charles H., 192J4-03 note 
1792 David, 192J-24 
11860 Elmira, 18651-52 
1801 Hannah, 192J-28 
1755 Olive, p. 142 

1795 Phineas, 192J-25 
1788 Samuel, 192J-22 

1787 Sarah, 192J-21 
ml795 Stephen, 186-23 
ml744 Stephen, 1222 

1746 Susanna, p. 142 
1790 Thomas, 192J-23 
ml828 Willard H., 1865-52 
1799 William, 192J-27 
ml861 William H., 192,14-03 

Winfred II., 192J4-03 note 

CUSHING 
ml804 Josiah, 2172-J 

CUSHMAN 
11800 Ezra, 1965-45 
dl824 Phila (Putnam), 1965-42 

1796 Theophilus, 19624-K 

CUTLER 

1795 Charles, 19256-7 
1753 Lois, 22J1 
ml852 James B., 19472-34 
ml838 Mary, 19812-K 

Rebecca (Cutter), 197-37 
ml829 Sarah, 22J3-S4 
m Sarah, 22J3-31 

CUTTER 
1794 Abiel, 197-8J 
1781 Abigail, 197-84 
1792 Artemas, 197-89 
1733 Ammi, 197-5, 197-8 
1790 Hannah, 197-88 
1779 Joshua, 197-83 
Rebecca, 197-37 
1786 Rebecca, 197-80 

1788 Simon,197-87 

CUTTING 
1758 Thankful, 22J1 
1701 Elizabeth, 231 

DABY —see DARBY 
ml747 Elizabeth (Holden), 196 
ml747 John,196 

DAKIN 

1712 Buelah, 223 

DAMON 

ml772 Elizabeth, 185-32 
ml797 Esther, 16456 
ml842 Mary J., 12268-9 
1700 Mary, 1S4 
ml843 Nancy, 16414-12 
ml833 Randa D., 12268-3 

DANA 

ml837 Caroline, 22J3-35 

DANE 

ml833 Jane E., 19273-4 

DANFORTH 

ml825 Joanna R., 192J4-6 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


431 


DANIELS 
ml827 Lavinia, 26577 
ml827 Olivia, 26577 
ml788 Ruth, 21723 

DARBY 

1739 Elizabeth, 265 

DARE 

ml838 Mary A., 19476-6 

DARLING 

ml846 George, 19914-K 
ml843 Harriet, 19379-6 
11820 Nathan, 19373-8 

DATES 

ml888 Orvil J., 19248-K6 

DAUPREE 

ml869 Lulu J., 21725-74 

DAVENPORT 
1806 Ambrose, 2172-65 
1796 Asa, 2172-62 
ml781 Elisha, 217-7 
ml791 Ephraim, 2172-6 
ml817 Ephraim, 2173-4 

1789 Harriet, 217-73 

1803 Harriet, 2172-64 
1819 Joel B., p. 358 
1784 Lydia, 217-71 
1794 Oliver, 2172-61 

m Orren B., 19246-21 

1784 Pollv, 217-72 
1808 Zeruiah, 2172-66 

DAVID 

(1792 Betsy, 22J5 

DAVIDSON 
1850 Ella, 19276-82 
1855 Frances, 19276-87 
ml839 Henry, 19276-8 
1854 Julia, 19276-8 
1840 Martha, 19276-81 
1844 Mary, 19276-83 

DAVIS 

1800 Anna, 1931-7J 

1796 Berintha, 1931-78 
1806 Calvin, 1931-7M 
1798 Chastina, 1931-79 

m Darius, 19316-4 
d 1855 Dexter, 12231-8 
ml8S5 Elizabeth, 26579 

Elizabeth, 12231-83 
ml837 Emeline, 19914-6 
ml 826 Emily, 2341-23 
1781 Emma, 1931-71 
1787 Frederick M., 1931-74 

1804 Hiram, 1931-7L 
ml782 Huldah, 19346 

Jabez E., 26579-32 
Jason, 26579-34 
dl827 John, 1931-7 
1783 John, 1931-72 

Linville, 12231-82 
Lucinda, 26579—31 
Lorena, 265-84 
11760 Lucy (Tuttle), 221-51 

Martha (-), 1931-74 

ml869 Nathaniel E., 26579-3 
Nelson, 12231-81 
ml825 Olive, 19472-4 
ml869 Robert E., 26579-33 

1790 Rosalinda, 1931-75 

1785 Sally, 1931-73 
1794 Samuel, 1931-77 
1694 Sarah, 192 

Susan (Rolph), 1924-44 
1792 Zenus, 1931-76 

DAWES 

1870 Beman G., 22J3-34 + 
Betsy G., 22J3-34-F 

1797 Charles M., 22J3-31 
1865 Charles G., 22J3-34 + 


1807 Edward, 22J3-35 
1801 George, 22J3-313 
1804 Henry, 22J3-34 

Henry M., 22J3-34 + 

1809 James T., 22J3-86 
1813 Jane, 22J3—38 

1815 John, 22J3-39 
1811 Mary H., 22J3-37 

Mary F., 22J3-34 + 

1867 Rufus C., 22J3-34-F 

1838 Rufus R., 22J3-34-f- 
ml796 William M., 22J3-3 

1799 William, 22J3-32 

DAY 

ml839 Achsah, 12297-1 
(I860 Elizabeth B., 192J5-27 
ml796 Lucy, 194-57 

DEAN 

-, 192J-32 

DECKER 

ml847 Harriet, 19471-65 
DELAP 

11729 James, 19484 note 

DELLINGER 

ml846 Catherine (McMurray), 
2273-2 

DEMOND (see DAMON) 

1824 Augusta, 19914-21 
ml827 Charles, 19914-4 

1828 Daniel, 19914-23 

1830 Edwin, 19914-25 

1839 Ellen, 19914-27 

1829 Darwin D., 19914-42 

1833 Francis E., 19914-44 

1831 Moses G., 19914-43 
ml823 Miles, 19914-2 

1837 Sidney M., 19914-45 
1835 Theodore, 19914-26 

1828 William W., 19914-41 

DENN 

m William, 12252-24 

DINSMORE 
1842 Alma, 19474-28 

1829 Catherine W., 19474-23 
ml819 Ebenezer, 12264-2 

1844 Emma, 19474-29 

1825 Harriet, 19474-21 

1834 Helen M., 19474-26 
ml823 Ingalls K., 19474-3 

DENSMORE (DINSMORE) 

ml831 Lyman, 2341-27 

1838 Martha S., 19474-27 
1827 Susan R., 19474-22 

DERBYSHIRE 

P1758 -, R642-6 

1760 Ruth (Holden), R642-6 

DEXTER 

1786 Lydia (Rawson), 1229-26 
m Zilpha, R874-5 

DICKERSON 

ml804 Delia, 19373-3, 19373-5 
DICKEY 

1829 Charles, 19274-18 
1817 Elizabeth E., 19274-12 

1832 George, 19274-19 

1816 Henry H., 19274-11 
1823 Mary J., 19274-15 
1819 Nancy, 19274-13 
1825 Nathan L., 19274-16 
1827 Rebecca G., 19274-17 

1833 Sarah E, 19274-lJ 
ml815 Thomas M., 19274-1 

1821 Thomas, 19274-4 

DICKINSON 
Delia, 12238-81 
Russell, 12238-8 


DICKSON 

1698 Elizabeth, 26 

DIKE 

ml785 Adin, 1641-1 
1807 Alice, 1641-6S 
1799 Asa, 1641-61 
1805 Betsey, 1641-64 
ml784 Calvin, 1641-2 
1785 Jesse, 1641-21 
1812 Lois, 1641-67 

1821 Lyman, 1641-21 note 
1801 Martha, 1641-62 

ml797 Reuben, 1641-6 
1801 Sally, 1641-62 
1810 Tryphena, 1641-66 
William, 1641-11 

DILLAWAY 
ml 849 Levi F., 19273-6 

1855 Annie M., 19273-63 

1853 Harriet J., 19273-62 

1851 Mary A., 19273-61 

DIX 

1791 Abigail, 21761 

1699 Elizabeth, 164 

DODGE 

1822 Augusta L„ 19473-33 
ml812 Daniel, 19473-3 

1854 Ella D„ 19476-95 

1852 Fanny H„ 19476-94 
1812 Harriet E„ 19473-31 

ml857 Harriet E„ 19476-7 
1828 Jonathan 0„ 19761-3 

1856 Julia T„ 19476-96 
ml844 Leonard, 19761-2 
ml836 Mary W., 19476-1 

(1829 Nahum, 19373-13 

1842 Oliver H., 19476-91 
ml840 William W., 19476-9 

1850 William H„ 19476-03 

DOLE 

ml850 Sarah K., 2657-36 

DOLPH 

m Mary, 1229-36 

DOTY 

(1810 Abner, 1965-63 
ml814 Erastus, 1981-7 
Erastus, 1981-73 
(1820 Halsey, 1981-31 
Mary, 1981-75 
Selina, 1981-74 
Mary W., 265-64 
m Patty, 265-68 

DRENNEN 

1843 Sally E„ 19276-J 

DRURY 
Henry G., p. 229 

DUGAN 

ml 648 Frances, R 
(1648 Frances (Latham) p. 379 
(1648 William p. 379 

DULMAGE 

ml875 Edith, 19248-K3 

DUNLAP 

ml880 Almeda M., 19052-N2 
m Eliza, 1981K-44 

DUNHAM 

m Hannah,16457-1 

ml828 Lucy B., 16457-2 

DUNTON 

m Sarah, 12231-9 

DURFEE 

1793 Polly (Holden), 19245-1 
DURICEE 

ml839 Moses, p. 343 note 





432 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


DURRANT 
Abigail p. 62 
ml670 John p. 62 
John 

ml708 Mehitable (m. Thomas 
Skinner), p. 62 
1654 Susannah (Dutton), 12 
Thomas p. 62 

DURRELL 

1829 Americus V., p. 264 

DUSTIN 
Sarah, 2624-52 

DUTTON 
1654 Susannah,12 
Susannah, p. 62 
Thomas, p. 62 

DUYCKINCK 
1824 George, 22J2-75 
1812 Harriet, 22J2-71 
1819 Horace, 22J2-74 
1828 Margaret, 22J2-76 
1817 Mary, 22J2-73 
m?1810 Richard-22J2-7 
1815 William, 22J2-72 

DWIGHT 
Daniel, R872-25 

DWINNEL 

ml759 Grace (Ireland), 163-2 
DYER 

ml 808 Christaina, 197-87 
ml849 Joanna B., 21764-6 
ml805 Sally, 16455 

EAGLES 

m Jane (Hardy), 22J24 
EAMES 

ml864 Sarah M., 193K5-6 

EARLE 
Sally, 1962-64 

EASTMAN 
Benjamin, 1924J-71 
ml855 Cyrus, 1924J-L 
1858 Esther A., 1924J-L3 
ml842 Hannah H„ 1645J-5 
1857 Lois A., 1924J-L2 
1855 Margaret A., 1924J-L1 

EATON 

ml802 Abigail. 12221-7 
ml818 Jane, 1641-61 
1739 Jonathan, 184-3 
ml833 Sarah, 197-89 
/1850 Stillman, 2622-Kl 

EAYERS 
ml834 John, 2341-29 

ECCLESTON 
(1848 David, 19341-1 

EDDY 

1673 Benjamin, 2-5 
ml833 George W„ 12254-72 
1681 Grace (Holden), 2-5 
1714 Grace, 2-51 
Samuel, p. 57 
Sarah, (Meade), p. 57 



EDES 

ml 834 

Benjamin, 19348-3 


EDGELL 

m 

Moses, 19316-3 


EDGERTON 

m 

Sylvia, 1931-72 


ELDRED 
Abigail, R-78 
Anthony, R-75 
Barbara, R-79 
Elizabeth, p. 380 
(1740 James, R-71 
dl724 John, R-7 


1663 Margaret (Holden), R-7 
ml718 Margaret, R-77 
Robert, R-74 
Samuel, R-73 
Samuel, p. 380 
Thomas, R-72 
William, R-76 

ELLIOT 

ml815 David, 18651-1 
1824 David B., 18651-14 
ml866 Rachel, 19251-9 
1822 Jane, 18651-13 
1818 Susan, 18651-12 
ELLIS 

(1922 Mayme (Hite), 19726-86 

ELLSWORTH 
ml845 Lyman W., 22J3-38 
(1760 Susanna, 2212 
ELMORE 
m Judith, 19246-3 

ELWELL 
ml822 Dorcas, 197-8J 
ELSE 

ml879 Allen E., 26226-92 
EMERSON 

ml846 Almeda, 192J7-3 
EMERY 

1817 Mehitable, 22362-1 

ENDERTON 
m Olive E., 26577-1 

EOFF 

ml817 Catherine, 22J2-2 
Jane, 22J2-2 

ESTABROOKS 
ml829 Persis L., 19915-2 

ESTES 

ml855 Spencer, 19246-12 
ESTEY 

1862 Fannie E., 26221-72 
ml846 Oliver B., 26221-7 

ESTNIF 
(1900 May, 26226-96 

EUSTIS 
m Susan, 22254 

EVANS 

ml789 Abigail, 164-28 
ml832 Mary A., 19474-4 

EWIN 

ml764 Margaret, 1974 

FAIRBANKS 
ml848 Betsy, 19348-1 
ml832 Jane, 192J4-J 

FAIRFIELD 
-, 22J24-3 

FALKNER 
1808 Aaron, 1645-49 
ml790 Benjamin, 1645-4 
1797 Benjamin, 1645-45 
1802 David, 1645-47 
Elizabeth, 1645-43 
1792 Lydia, 1645-42 
1804 Mary, 1645-48 
1795 Nancy, 1645-44 
1799 Sally, 1645-46 

FAULKNER 
(1830 Sally, 19347-7 

FARLEY 
ml766 Mary, 1924 

FARNSWORTH 
ml830 Abram, 19246-2 

Abraham, p. 165 note 
(1800 Anna (Kellogg), 21-58 
(1820 Clara, 19245-5 

Clara, p. 165 note 


ml797 Jane, 19484 
ml819 Jonathan, 2622-9 
(1775 Keziah (Kellogg), 21-58 
1707 Mary (Holden), 21-5 
1731 Mary, 21-51 
ml768 Oliver, 196-2 
m Polly, 265-81 
1705 Reuben, 21-5 
1751 Reuben, 21-58 
(1901 Roxy, 19246-21 
1736 Ruth, 21-52 
1739 Rachel, 1948 
ml809 Sally, 1924-K 
ml776 Thomas, 265-4 

FARR 

ml860 Samuel, 12297-53 
FARRAR 

ml855 Charles L., 192J5-22 
ml820 Luther, 19627-7 

FARRINGTON 
ml797 Abigail, 19272 
ml751 Samuel, 199-3 
1754 Samuel, 199-31 

FARWELL 

ml774 Benjamin, 1934-3 
ml797 Emma, 19485 
ml823 John T., 2622-J 
ml822 William, 1965-65 

FAY 

1823 Benjamin, 12254-84 
1817 Charles, 12254-81 

1831 Clarissa, 12254-88 

1821 Elizabeth F., 12254-83 
1834 Sarah A., 12254-89 

1837 Seth F„ 12254-8J 
ml816 Stephen, 12254-8 

1827 Stephen, 12254-86 

FELKER 

1834 Ansel, 19484-32 

1832 Augustus, 19484-31 
1836 Ellen, 19484-33 

1838 George, 19484-34 
ml831 James, 19484-3 

1842 Samuel H., 19484-35 

FELTON 

1813 Alvin, 12256-32 
ml810 Daniel, 1225&-3 
1819 Fanny, 12256-35 
1817 Franklin, 12256-34 

1824 Joseph,12256-37 

1822 Lucretia, 12256-36 
1811 Myra, 12256-31 

FENNO 

1791 Andrew, 2172-14 
ml780 Enoch, 2172-1 
1796 Enoch, 2172-16 
1794 Jarvis, 2172-15 
1783 Jeremiah, 2172-11 
1789 Lucy, 2172-13 
1785 Maria, 2172-12 
Spencer, 2172-17 

FERRELL 

ml840 Harriet, 1645-49 
FIELD 

1877 D. W„ 26578-7 
ml820 Rudolphus, 193K-7 

FISKE 

1831 Laura L., 19812-4 

FITCH 
ml838 Ann, 22J3-36 

Samuel 12432-8 
ml886 Thomas D., 19273-63 

FLAGG 

ml838 Eunice S., 19815-4 
ml794 Josiah, 1974 
ml844 Mary E., 19472-32 



INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


133 


FLANDERS 

James G., 12238-81 -f- 

FLETCHER 

7711812 Alvan, 19373-7 

1820 Calvin, 19373-75 
1819 Edwin F., 19373-74 

7711861 George T., 19272-44 

1828 Joanna, B., 19373-77 
11760 Joseph, 221-51 

tti 1772 Joshua, 265-2 
1814 Levi W., 19373-71 

1821 Louisa J., 19373-76 
7711868 L. W., 192J5-23 

1817 Samuel S., 19373-73 
1816 Valeria A., 19373-72 

-, 1965-47 

FLINT 

7711827 Cynthia X., 19248-1 
11863 Lois, 19248-1 

FLORENCE 

7711849 Abigail B., 19272-42 
7711875 Susan B., 19272-42 

FOLGER 

7711842 Eveline P. M. R„ 21764-3 

FOOTE 

7711858 David A., 12256-36 

FORBES 

tti 1779 Mary, 12253 

FORD 

11860 Jane, 1924J-43 

FOSDICK—FOSDITCH 

1629 John, p. 

1620 Martha, 1 

1584 Stephen, family of, p. 55 

1589 Sarah (Wetherell), p. 55 

FOSKETT 
1674 Jonathan, 12-1 
1703 Jonathan, 12-11 
John, p. 62 

Elizabeth (Leach), p. 62 
1709 Mary, 12-13 
7711734 Rachel, 12-14 

FOSS 

77i Ellen, 19484-73 

FOSTER 
7711804 Abigail, 19276 
1825 Amelia A., 2622-44 
7711807 Benjamin B., 197-86 
dl858 Celia, 16415-8 
tti 1782 Isaac, 1937-4 
77il813 James, 2622-4 
1816 James H., 2622-41 
7711781 Jonathan, 1937-7 
1782 Jonathan, 1937-71 
1785 Miriam, 1937-72 
7711844 Sarah O., 19761-1 
1819 Sarah G., 2622-42 

FOWLER 

7711834 Mary, 1229-2L 

FOX 

(I860 George, 19248-82 
7711815 Mary, 12294-2 
FRAZIER 

1831 Rebecca (Holden) 
19246-11 

FREDERICS 

1806 Abigail (Holden), 2236-J 
FREEMAN 
1792 Nancy, 19819 
FRENCH 

7711869 Evander, 19652-Nl 

1829 George P., 16415-13 
1827 Henry H., 16415-12 
1778 Lucy (Holden), 12231-7 

7711819 Reuben, 16415-1 


FROST 

7711855 Clara, 12254-85 
7711730 James, 1-43 

Jonathan B., 1948-1 

1672 Mary (Williams), 1-43 
1762 Sarah (Holden), 1948-1 

FRY—FRYE 
1702 Hannah, R87 
11730 John, R-J5 

FULLER 

7711811 David, 193173-2 
1840 Martha A. (Rolph), 
19249-46 
tti1756 Sarah, 233 

GAGE 

77i?1820 Abigail, 19256-2 
7711860 James U., 192J7-3 
7711885 Mary H., 192J5-28 
tti?1819 Rhoda, 19256-1 

GALE 

t?i 1618 Margaret, p. 24 
dl626 William, p. 24 

GALLISON 

1840 Charlotte G., 21725-K 
GAMEL 

77i Catherine, 2657-32 

GARDINER—GARDNER 

1673 Catherine (Holmes), R-12 
7711693 Joseph, R-12 

7711718 Margaret (Eldred), R-77 
7711743 Mary, R-97 
ml718 William, R-77 
77i Elijah, 16313-7 

GARFIELD 
Samuel, 2 note 

GARNSEY 
7711813 Rachel, 19314-3 

GASS (GOSS) 

7711805 Thomas, 1934-K 

GATES 

t?i1807 Achsah, 19346-2 
Artemas, 19346-1 
Caleb, 19346-15 
Emery, 19346-14 
John, 19346-13 
7711804 Josiah, 19346 

Josiah, 19346-2 
7711864 Mary B., 22J3-34 + 
771I8O8 Nathaniel, 19251-3 

GEARY 

1749 Abigail, 185-31 
1728 David, 185-3, 186-2 

1751 David, 185-35 
1769 Daniel, 185-3J 
1730 Edward, 184-2 

1752 Edward, 184-21 
1764 Elizabeth, 184-25 

1761 John, 184-24 

1762 Joshua, 185-37 

1754 Kezra, 185-33 

1759 Mary, 184-23 

1755 Phebe, 184-22 
1758 Rebecca, 185-35 

1760 Reuben, 185-36 

1756 Thomas, 185-34 
1767 William, 185-39 

GEORGE 

7711852 Phebe K., 19472-23 

GIBSON 

7711815 Anna W„ 265-84 
1787 Betsey, 12238-6 
7771808 Thomas, 197-88 
7771890 William, 1924J-L2 

GILBERT 

7771845 Avery W., 12254-78 


GILCHRIST 

7771834 John, 192J-64 

GILDER 

1814 Emma (Holden), 22J25-3 

GILL 

Daniel R„ 19624-51 
7771793 Hannah, 19914 

John O., 19624-52 
777 John, 1962-63 
7771755 Obadiah, 222-3 
777 Whitford, 19624-5 
William, 19624-53 

GILMORE 

7771789 Ephraim, 1937-8 

GLEASON 

1828 Abigail, 19915-12 
(1770 Eliab, 194-14 
1830 Joel H., 19915-13 
7771819 Rufus, 19912-2 
7771824 Rufus, 19915-1 
1833 Thomas H., 19915-14 

GLIDDEN 
7771790 Hannah, 19652 
1766 Ruth,19651 
7771858 Stephen N., 19652-32 
(1750 -, 21-54 

GLINN 

7771856 Mary A., 16415-2 note 

GLOVER 

1835 Albert H., 21762-91 
7771832 Andrew, 21762-2 
1801 Elizabeth S., 2172-72 

1839 Gustavus, 21762-93 
1807 Hannah, 2172-74 
1837 James, 21762-92 

7771835 James W., 21762-9 
7771798 Joshua, 2172-7 

1840 Louisa, 21762-94 

1797 Martha H., 2173-21 

1798 Nancy H., 2172-71 
7771838 Patty (Holden), 21764 

1807 Phineas H., 2175-23 
7771796 Samuel, 2175-2 
1804 Susannah H., 2172-73 

GOODING — GOD DIN — 
GODDEN 

1686 Elizabeth (Holden), 2-7 
1704 Henry, 2-7, p. 85 note 
7771718 Margaret, p. 49 

Mary (Pease), p. 58 
William, p. 58 
GOFFE 

(1757 Jemima (Holden), 193-5 
7771749 John, 193-5 

GOODHUE 

777 Fanny, 1962-62 

GOODMAN 
7771835 Mary J., 22273-3 
GOODRICH 
7771833 Ann T., 19348-8 
1754 David, 12411-3 
7771822 Fannie, 19274-4 
Francis, 19384-8 
7771785 Hepzibah, 12411-2 

GORDON 

(1737 Alexander, p. 321 note 
(1777 Cosmo, p. 321 note 
(1737 James, p. 321 note 
Samuel, p. 172 

(1777 Temperance, p. 321 note 
dl736 William, p. 321 note 
(1753 William, p. 321 note 
(1835 William, 2176-62 
GORTON 

1737 Mary (Greene), R872 
7771793 Mercy, R874 




434 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


Z1750 Samuel, R6-67 

Samuel, p. 383 et seq. 
Sarah, R642-J 
(1700 Susanna, R-52 

GOULD 
1741 David, 164-6 
1761 David, 164-27 
1752 Elizabeth, 164-21 
ml834 Elizabeth, 16417 
1726 Jacob, 164-2 
1754 Jacob, 164-22 

1759 Lydia, 164-25 
1757 Mary. 164-24 
1732 Moses, 193-6 
1761 Moses, 193-62 

1768 Nathan, 164-28 

1760 Nehemiah, 193-61 
1772 Susanna, 164-29 

1761 Thomas, 164-26 

GRAHAM 
ml812 John, 1645-12 

GRANT 

(1666 Christopher, p. 34 
ml739 Christopher, 21-4 

1744 Christopher, 21-48 
Joseph, p. 86 

Mary (Grafton), p. 86 
1740 Mary, 21-47 
1704 Mercy (Holden), 21-4 

1746 Sarah (Watson), 21-48 

GRAVES 
ml840 Betsy, 193K4 
(1811 Comfort, p. 257 
ml751 Ebenezer, R6-67 

GRAY 

ml 827 Catherine, 2341-22 
(1845 Susan, 19245-27 

GREEN — GREENE 
ml744 Abigail, 16-53 

1769 Abigail, 196-49 
1801 Amey G., R874-72 

(1800 Anne, R64-73 
1666 Benjamin, R-J 
1691 Benjamin, R-Jl 
1760 Betty, 196-41 
1665 Catherine, R8 
1698 Catherine, R-J3 
ml854 Catherine A., 12254-86 
ml739 Deborah, RS-44 
1701 Deliverance, R87 

1747 Dolly, 122-43 

(1666 Elizabeth (Barton), p. 381 

1706 Elizabeth, R-J5 
1799 Freelove, R874-71 
1768 Godfrey, R874-7 

1701 Hannah (Holden), 19-J 
1732 Hannah, 19-J4 
ml798 Hannah, 19276 
ml840 Isabella, 19476-1 
1720 Israel, 122-4 
1750 James, 122-44 
ml758 Jemima (Holden), 196-6, 
19-JS 

764 Jemima, 196-44 
(1640 John, p. 382 
1747 John, 1164-7 
1774 John M., R64-73 
ml771 John, 185-31 
1731 Jonas, 19-J3 
1731 Jonas, 196-4 
ml780 Jonas, 185-33 
1767 Jonas, 196-46 
1767 Josiah, 196-47 
1757 Lucas, 122-47 
1743 Lucy, 122—41 

1707 Margaret, R-J6 
(1680 Mary, R-ll 

ml753 Mary (Shattuck), 19-J2 
1737 Mary, R872 

1745 Mary, 122-42 


ml784 Mary, 19272 

1779 Mary, R64-75 
Mary A., R642-K3 

1752 Nathan, 122-45 
1762 Nathaniel, 196-42 
(1760 Oliver, R85-12 
(1710 Phebe (Arnold), R-Jl 
ml754 Phebe, R6-71 
1771 Rachel, 196-4J 
ml700 Richard, R-32 
ml742 Richard, R6-63 
1771 Richard, R64-71 
ml766 Samuel, 192-15 
Samuel, R872-24 
ml738 Sarah, R8-42 
1776 Sarah, R64-74 
1729 Simon, 19-J2 
ml754 Stephen, R8-43 
ml827 Sukey, 19347 
1694 Susannah, R-J2 
(1666 Thomas, p. 381 
1701 Thomas, R-J4 
(1670 William, p. 379 
1699 William, 19-J 
1727 William, 19-Jl 
ml719 William, R-J3 
1754 Zeeb, 122-46 

GREENWOOD 
ml848 Dexter, 192J5-J 
Ellen, 192J5-J1 
ml829 Elijah M„ 2172-71 

GRIFFIN 
Ezra II., 26579-72 
George C., 26579-71 
ml865 John C., 26579-7 
John F., 26579-73 
Orlando, 26579-74 
ml744 Sarah, 16-61 

Sarak E., 26579-76 
William E., 26579-75 

GRISWOLD 
(1790 Abigail, 186-91 
ml824 Emily, 1965-64 

GROOM 

ml880 Sarah A., 26226-1 

GROUT 
ml778 Lettice, 19624 

GROVER 
ml7S6 Abigail, 197 

HADLEY 

ml714 Abigail (Holden), 16-5 
m Abigail (Richardson), 
16-52 

ml744 Abigail (Green), 16-53 

m Anna (-), 1641-86 

1694 Anthony,16-5 
1723 Anthony, 16-53 
ml797 Daniel,‘1641-8 
1799 Daniel, 1641-81 
1811 Elizabeth, 1641-85 
ml826 Elizabeth, 16414-1 
ml827 James N., 1865-35 
1716 John, 16-51 
1805 Lois, 1641-83 
ml752 Mary (Cox), 16-54 
1802 Reuben, 1641-82 
1718 Samuel. 16-52 

Sarah (Williams), 16-51 
ml 820 Sallv, 1641-81 
1807 Stephen, 1641-84 
1814 Stephen, 1641-86 
1726 Thomas, 16-54 

HAGAR 

ml838 Charles, 12256-31 
ml778 David, 1226-2 
1785 David, 1226-23 

1780 Joseph, 1226-21 
1793 Lucas, 1226-26 
1783 Moses, 1226-22 


1787 Polly, 1226-24 
1789 Rossell, 1226-25 

HAIGHT 
ml867 Flora, 19818-4 

HALDANE 
Aylmer de, p. 1 note 

HALE 

Aaron,192J-32 
Artemas, 192J-3J 
ml735 Augustus, 21-1 
Betsv, 192J-35 
ml787 David, 192J-3 
David, 192J-31 
John, 192J-37 
Luke, 192J-3K 
1699 Lydia (Holden), 21-1 
Nancy, 192J-39 
Rebecca, 192J-3L 
ml773 Sarah, 2321 

Sarah,192J-38 
Susan,192J-36 
William, 192J-34 

HALL 

ml861 Amelia, 19475-K6 
1745 David, R86-8 
ml845 Elbert, 19652-11 
ml868 Huldah (Knight), 16451-5 
ml791 Jabez, 199-44 
ml835 Lucy, 16455-6 
ml839 Margaret, 19248-2 
1777 Mary, R86-81 
Mary, R874-5 
Rebecca (Cutter), 197-37 
1715 Susannah, 1222 
m 1789 Zipporah, 2236 

HALSEY 

1812 Eliza R., 22J25-1 
1781 Mary, 22J24 

HAMBLIN 
Nathaniel, 21728-7 

HAMMOND 
ml849 M. Maria, 19761-3 
Thomas F., 1962-66 
ml884 -, 19248-6 

HANAWAY 
ml807 Eliza, 19476 

HANEY 

Mary C., 12238-81 + 
Robert, 12238-81 

HANLENBECK 
1862 Asa W„ 2236K-23 
1859 Edgar, 2236 K-22 
1857 F. H., 2236K-21 
(1856 Peter P., 2236K-2 

HAPGOOD 

ml838 Nancy, 19472-21 
HARDING 

m Susanna, 16314-3 
HARDY 

ml847 Eliza A., 192J5-7 
Jane, 22J24 

HARLOW 

1824 Andrew J., 19472-25 
1826 Dorcasina B„ 19472-26 
ml814 Ellis, 19472-2 
1820 Edward E., 19472-24 
ml852 George, 19652-13 
1816 Miriam H., 19472-22 
1814 Phineas H., 19472-21 
1818 William H., 19472-23 

HARRINGTON 
ml853 Asa S., 19475-Kl 
m Lyman, 1229-37 
ml776 Simeon, 1937-2 




INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


435 


HARRIS 

Abigail, R642-2 

1797 Bradley, 1925-84 
ml756 Bulah (Holden,) 193-8 

1792 Eunice, 1925-82 
ml789 Francis, 1925-8 
1801 Francis, 1925-85 
ml809 Jerusha, 19624-4 
1789 Polly, 1925-81 
1736 Ruth (Farnsworth), 21-52 
1804 Sophia, 1925-80 
1794 Susanna, 1925-83 
ml777 Waite, R83-14 

HARTE 

1840 Gregory P., 19476-51 
1849 Maria T., 19476-55 
ml839 Rufus E., 19476-5 
1843 William J., 19476-53 

HARTMAN 
11835 Almira, 19245-22 

HARTWELL 
1819 Abigail, 2341-2L 
1817 Almira, 2341-2K 
1810 Caroline, 2341-28 
1751 Hannah, 192-16 
ml797 John, 2341-2 
1799 John, 2341-22 
1758 Levi, 192-18 
ml807 Lucy, 23414 
1812 Lucy, 2341-29 
m Nancy, 1931-77 
1808 Olive, 2341-27 
1745 Priscilla, 192-14 
1739 Rachel, 192-12 
1702 Samuel, 192-1 
1761 Samuel, 192-19 
1738 Sarah, 192-11 
ml810 Sarah, 23415 
1804 Sarah, 2341-25 
1801 Silas F., 2341-23 

1798 Willard, 2341-21 

HARVEY 

11840 Catherine, 19316-8 

HARWOOD 
ml790 Abigail, 2—46 
ml817 Phebe, 12237-7 

HASKINS 
Augustus, 19624-Jl 
Curtis, 19624-J3 
11830 Jedutlian, 19624-J 
Lucy, 19624-J4 
Mary, 19624-J2 

HASTINGS 

ml833 Mary A., 2172-95 

HATCH 

ml852 James D., 16451-75 

HAVENS 

11740 Margaret (Hurling), R-52 
HAYDEN 

ml 835 Abigail, 16451-41 
ml792 Olive, 1965-9 note 

HAYDOCK 

ml887 Minnie M., 18658-64 

HAYES 

m Ellen D., 26578-6 
ml887 Sarah E., 192J5-25 

HAYNES 

ml844 Roxana, 16417-7 
ml834 Sarah, 16417-7 

HAYWOOD — HAYWARD 
ml766 Hannah (Hayward), 12231 

HEAD 

ml843 Catherine, 26226-1 

HEARSEY 

ml808 Abigail, 12234-5 


HEDDEN 

ml862 Kate, 2236K-3 

HEMENWAY 

1739 Sarah, 192J 

HENDEL 

mlS47 Sybilla, 22J25-4 

HENRY 
Anna, 1962-66 
m Elizabeth, 19254 
Elthera, 1962-67 
1785 Harriet, 1962-61 

1791 James, 1962-64 
Polly, 1962-65 

1789 Theodosia, 1962-63 
ml784 William, 1962-6 

7888 William, 1962-2 

HERBERT 

ml860 Charles W., 192J4-01 

HERRIOTT 
ml817 H. C., 19273-61 

HENSHAW 

ml833 William, 12254-71 
HEWES 

ml766 Abraham, 21-65 
1746 Lucy (Jennison), 21-65 

HEYWOOD. See HAYWARD 
ml804 Mary, 221-11 

William, 264-66 

HICKEY 

m Margaret, 1981K-45 

HICKOX 

ml852 Caroline E., 19347-J 

HICKS 

William, 1924J-72 

HIGGINBOTTOM 

/1770 -, R83-15 

HILL 

1787 Aaron, 1645-31 
1787 Amos, 1645-32 
1802 Asa, 1645-3J 

1790 Daniel, 1645-33 

1792 Elizabeth, 1645-34 
ml787 Elizabeth, 16452 

1805 Francis, 1645-3K 
ml790 Hannah, 164-26 
ml784 James, 1645-3 
1794 John,1645-35 

1794 Joseph, 1645-36 

1795 Lydia, 1645-37 

m Lydia D., 1645-35 
1797 Levi, 1645-38 
1808 Luther, 1645-3L 
1799 Nancy, 1645-39 
1808 Otis, 1645-3M 

1813 Patty, 1645-3N 
/1825 Polly, 16452 

/1778 Sarah, 262-1 

Sophronia, 193K2-1 
Susan, 265-62 

HILLARD 
Adelaide, 21723-11 
1818 Charles, 21723-13 
1821 Franklin, 21723-14 
m John, 21723-1 

HILLS 

Margaret (McElroy), 

19627-81 

HINDS 

1824 Cvnthia, 19652-13 
1832 Henry, 19652-15 
1812 Hannah, 19652-11 
ml810 Jonas, 19652-1 

1814 Lewis H., 19652-12 
1826 Henry B., 19652-15 


HINMAN 

Albert W., 1229 note 
1755 Eunice, 12238 

HITE 

ml877 Franklin P., 19276-86 

HOAR 

1767 Deborah (Bigelow), 2657 
ml799 John, 265-33 
ml779 Rebecca, 265-1 

HOBART 
Gershom, p. 77 
1732 Hannah (Green), 19-J4 
1732 Jeremiah, 19-J2 

Lydia (Nutting), p. 77 

HOBBS 

m John G., 19914-8 

HODEN, HODENG 
family, pp. 1 note, 11 note 
-Ralph de, p. 11 

HODGES 

ml829 Sarah A., R874-94 

HODGKINS 
Charles, 19276-7 + 

HODSKINS 

(I860 Jerry, 19471-6K 

HODSON 

11850 Albert, 19471-68 
ml881 Mary A„ 1924J-61 

HOIT 

ml776 Abigail, 1633-1 
HOLBROOK 
m Daniel, 19379-3 

HOLLE — (HOLLEY) 
ml761 Martha, 12411 

HOLLISTER 
Ann, 2214-32 
Emma, 2214-34 
Melissa, 2214-35 
1738 Rachel, 2214 
Sarah, 2214-33 
ml790 William, 2214-3 
William, 2214-31 

HOLMES 

ml843 Betsey, 19627-1 
1673 Catherine, R-12 
1649 Frances (Holden), R-l 
?1677 Frances, R-13 
1649 John, R-l 
1672 John, R-ll 
il680 Mary (Greene), R-l 

Rachel (Hollister), 2214 n. 

HOLT 

ml814 Dorcas, 26241 
ml863 John L., 16451-79 

HOOKWAY 
ml813 Eliza C., 1925L 
HORTON 

ml873 Melvin V., 18654-41 
HOSMER 

ml848 Martha, 19472-25 
1744 Millicent, 2225 
1743 Sarah, 2227 
ml813 Sarah, 2214K 

HOUGHTON 

ml853 Charlotte T., 26243-4 
ml742 Deborah, 198 

Martha, 12253-51 
Mary, 12253-52 
ml812 Nahum, 12253-5 

HOULL 

/1793 Jonathan, 163-6 
HOWARD (see HAYWARD) 
ml785 Elizabeth, 265-5 
ml840 Julia A., 19474-5 




INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


436 


d \878 Maria. 19*48-4 
mlSll Patty, 19SK4 
mlS64 Rhoda W„ 19347-7 

HOW — HOWE 
ml743 Abigail. 1631 
1790 Abigail G.. *176-31 
mlSO* Calvin, 197-84 

Ezekiel, 1**3S-S note 
ml738 George, * 170-3 
ml741 John, **-9 
mlS5* Joseph P.. *6*43-1 
1719 Marv (Holden \ **-9 
nlS66 Marv J., *6577-1 
mlSTS May M., 196o*-N3 
1701 Naomi, 163 
/1790 Sybil, 194-58 
HOWES 
Eliza, 19475-74 
mlS*5 George. 19475-7 
George, 19475-75 
Levi, 19475-71 
Lydia A.. 19475-78 
Martha, 19475-73 
Mary, 19475-7* 

Naomi, 19475-77 
Willis. 19475-76 
HOWLAND 
ml7*8 Jabex. R-3* 

HUBBARD 

mlS16 Catherine, 1965* 

11775 Jonathan, 196-14 
mlS07 Roswell, 196*-5* 
m -, 19314-3 

HUDSON 

ml 861 Louise, 19SK4-7 
mlSll Susan. **1-11 

HUGHEY 

ml 851 Annis, 19484-9 

Hl'LlNG 

/1740 Margaret, R-5* 

HULL 

ml84* Frances, 1**54-73 
mlSll Matilda, 1**54-* 
mlS44 Nathan B„ 1965*-J 

HUMPHREY — HUMPHREYS 
mlS16 Katherine, 1965* 

174* Susannah. *173 

HUNT 

ml 831 Elizabeth. 19473 
Harriet, RS74-75 

HUNTER 

ml836 Thomas, 1865-54 

HURLBERT 
1917 Florence, p. Ill note 

HUSS 

Anna B„ **J*5-J5 
/1850 George J., **J*5-J 
1853 George M„ **J*5-Jl 
Henry H„ **J*5-J4 
Johanna D.. **J*5-J* 
Mary S., **J*5-JS 

HYDE 

1753 Elizabeth v Holden\l*43-l 
Jabex, 1*43-11 
nlS57 Jane M„ *6577-* 

William H„ 1*4S-1* 

HYSUP 

1836 Margxret, *6**6-S 
IJAMS 

ml844 Elizabeth A„ *17*5-8 

INGRAHAM 
Susan. 197-SI 

IRELAND 

17*1 Grace, p. 10* note 
ml760 Rebecca, 163-* 


IRVINE 

ml874 James, 19*4S-K3 
ml894 William, 19*48-Kl 

IVES 

ml8*8 Almira. 198K.-3 

Rebecca, 193K* note 

IVORY 

nlSO* John.1934-*5 

JACKMAN 
mlS70 Alice, *6579-9 
JACKSON 
ml814 Asenath. *6**1 
11810 Caty, *65-61 
1797 Duleena E., 1**53—4 
ml783 Sylvia, 199-4* 

JACOBUS 

m Jacob, **J*5-5 

JAMES (see JONES, 19S1K-1) 
JAMESON 

mlS68 Mary E., 196*7-K 

JANNERSON 
mlS07 Sarah.1934-*7 
JELUSON 

Marv J. (Paine), *17*8-3 
JENKINS 

/19*3 Belle, 19*49-41 note 
dlS5S Jonathan. 19*49-41 

JENNINGS 
m Stephen. *3418-3 

JEN NISON 

1710 Abigail (Holden), *1-6 
1736 Abigail. *1-6* 
ml761 Abigail vNewton) *1-61 
167S Grace, ** 

JEFFERS 

nlS61 Calista M.. 19*J4-89 
JEMERSON 

ml837 Elizabeth S. vLeMovne\ 
1SW5L—1 

JENNISON 

ml774 Hannah (Ward), *1-68 
Hannah, *311-14 
John. *311-1* 

1781 Josiah. *1-646. *311-1 
?1S10 Josiah. *311-11 
1753 Joshua. *1-68 
Lucia. *311-13 
1746 Lucy. *1-65 
(1704 Marv (Stearns), 41-6 
1741 Mary. *1-63 
1753 Mercy, *1-69 
ml 77* Phebe \ Baldwin''. *1-67 
1743 Phineas. *1-64 
(1678 Judith Newcomb), p. 88 
(1678 Samuel, p. 88 
1704 Samuel. *1-6 
1734 Samuel. *1-61 
1748 Sarah. *1-66 
Sarah. *311-15 
1748 Sarah. *1-66 
ml769 Susan (Newton\ *1-64 
1750 W illiam. *1-67 

JEWETT 

1799 Elizabeth, 19*J5 
/1S56 Mart-. 19*5K 

JOHNSON 
175* Dorothy, 1*334 
ml847 Emily. 198K*-3 
nlS41 Hannah M.. 196*7-6 
?1700 Mary .Holden \ 16-6 
ml8*7 Marv. 1645-47 
mlS*9 Nancy. **J3-1 
1780 Priscula. 19314-1 
ml744 Sarah tGrifEnh 16-61 
178* Sarah. 1S6-^J5 
1779 Sybil, 1**31-* 


>1700 Thomas. 16-6 
17*3 Thomas. 16-61 

JOHNSTON 
(I860 George, 19*4S-M 

JONES 

ml743 Abigail. **3 
1698 Ann, *** 
nlS41 Ann M„ *1764-8 
ml8*6 Ebenerer, *65-86 

Frederick, 1981K-45 
F rev love. 1981K-4* 
Hairiet, 1981 K-41 
ml775 Joseph. *34-4 

Kate. 1981K-11 
Nettie, 1981K-1* 
Robert, 19S1K-44 
William. 1981 K-l 
m William, 1981K—4 
William, 19SIK-43 
-, 16314-* 

JORDAN 

ml8*6 Rovanna. 19346-7 
JOY 

ml835 Annis, 19475-9 
ml 841 Caroline, 19475-N 

JUDSON 

ml833 Catherine, **J** 

KEEPERS 
11870 H. L.. **36K-6 

KF1 1H 

1800 Elizabeth v Holden\ 
19*74-5 

nl779 Salmon, 199-41 

KELIHER 

ml8*4 Joanna, 19484-* 
r» Melinda, 19484-86 

KELLAM 

18*6 Angelina M., *17*3-43 
1838 Ann E.. *17*3-17 
1841 Clarissa. *17*3-49 
ml8*1 James. *17*3—4 
18*4 James. *17*3-4* 

18*9 John. *17*3-44 
18** Louisa, *17*3-41 
1844 Maria J„ *17*3-4J 
183* Sarah C.. *17*3-45 

KELLEY 

ml84* John. 193K5-S 

KELLOGG 

m Susan, 1931-7M 

KELTON 

1738 Hannah. *17* 
ml835 Molly, 19379-4 

KEMP 

1744 Amasa. 19-L7 
1737 Jabex, 19-L4 
ml731 John, 19-L 
173* John. 19-Ll 
1733 Lawrence. 19-L* 

174* Lucv. 19-L6 
1735 Oliver. 19-L3 
ml731 Sarah Holden), 19-L 
1746 Sarah. 19-LS 

1739 Stephen. 19-L5 

KENDALL 
ml75* Abigail. **J 
19*5 Erra J.. *657-13 
1751 Jonathan. 1S6-*1 
ml843 SamueL 19815 
1914 Susanna B.. *657-11 
mlSll Thomas. *657-1 
1819 Thomas. *657-1* 

KENDRICK 

ml791 Abigail. 186-** 

KENNEDY 

ml837 Adaime. 19*45-5 






INDEX or OTHKK NAMES 


4 (17 


KKVKS 

ml81l Ruth. 263 82 

KEZF.R 

(1778 Lois tl.amsonl 1937 
ml80* Mary. 19373 2 

KIDDER 
ml 829 Nancy, 22J8-1 
ml883 Sarah (Eaton), 197-89 
KIMBALL 

1807 Avolinc. 12221-2M 
1803 Hiram, 12221-2K 

1 TiH? John H.. 12221-27 
ml 850 lo-man N., 16431-72 
1S03 Lloyd, 1222l-2L 
1810 Mclora. 12221 \ 

"iISIS Nancy. 19234- 3 
ml 7 88 Richard, 12221-2 
ml823 Susan. 19t>5—t>l 
1S01 Susanna, 182221-29 

KING 

ffilSSS Abby V„ 19276-5 
(1S40 Franklin. 19276-L 
(1830 Henry, 234IS—l 
mlS42 Thera S.. 19475-N 

KINGSBURY 
ml 845 Caroline A.. 21762-11 
mlS52 Martha, 21762-15 

KINGSLEY 
fnlSSS David. 19245-24 

KINNEY 

Frances D., 265-2S + 
KINSMAN 

mlS32 George S., 1925K-5 
George G., 1923K-52 
Georgiana. 1925K-51 
Hanney, 1923K-54 
Thomas, 1925K-53 

KNIGHT 
Aaron H., 1645J-15 
1782 Abidan, 186-Jo 
1776 Abigail, 186-J3 

1757 Amos, 185-24 

1758 Anna, 185-25 
Betsey S., 1645J-17 

ml826 Caroline F., 16451-6 
Catherine, 1645J-16 
Daniel H., 1645J-19 
1723 Elisha, 185-2 
?1760 Elisha, 185-26 
Elijah, 1645J-14 
Eliza B., 1645J-12 
Harvev M., 1645J-13 
1780 Heman, 186-J4 
ml868 Huldah, 16451-5 
(1830 James J., 1645J-1 
James B., 1645J-11 
1770 Jesse, 186-J2 
1744 Joseph, 186-J 
Mark, 1645J-18 
1742 Mary, 1645 
ml828 Olive, 16451-5 
1755 Ruth, 185-23 
1753 Sarah, 185-22 
1769 Sarah, 186-J 
1749 Thomas, 185-21 
ml760 Thomas, 164-21 

KNOW 

m Kate V., 22J29-L 

KNOWLES 
1767 Hannah, 2625 

KNOWLTON 

1808 Elmira, 2227-25 
1799 Eliza, 2227-22 
1766 John, 2227-2 
1802 John, 2227-23 
1797 Sally, 2227-21 
1805 Sophia, 2227-24 


LAKE 

117S0 Enos. 194 -54 

l AM BURTON 
ISIS Austin. 198-8 note, 

LAMSON 

ml780 Lois. 1937 

1ANDER 

J1862 Frances L. (Ringold), 

21725-62 

1829 Jas. H.,21725-61, 2172-58 
ml828 William, 21725-6 

LANE 

1851 Albert L.. 19652-N3 
ml896 Ellis. 19248-K2 
1856 Emma M., 19652—N5 
1853 Herrnon J„ 19652—N4 
1812 Mark. 19652-N 
1S58 Ncilia L., 19652-N6 
1863 Sarah M., 19652-N7 
1842 Sophia C„ 19652-N1 
1S47 Willard M.. 19652-N2 

LAPHAM 

1S00 Molly. 12221-K 

LARKIN 
Abel, 1981-71 
(1S00 Daniel. 1981-7 
Ira, 19S1-72 

LAKIN (see LARKIN) 
P1677 Elizabeth, 1-34 
ml737 Lvdia, 1-34 
1780 Sybil, 1947 

LAWRENCE 
1S73 Agnes I„ 26577-91 
1875 Charles I„ 26577-92 
1795 David, 1927-16 
17S8 Elizabeth, 1927-13 
1664 Hannah, 19 
ml872 James A., 26577-9 
1877 James H., 26577-93 
1782 Jonathan, 1927-11 
ml772 John,193-J 
ml781 Levi, 1927-1 
1784 Levi, 1927-12 
mlS41 Man.-, 16417 

Nathaniel, p. 76 
dl737 Nathaniel, 18-1 
1791 Nehemiah. 1927-14 
1797 Oliver, 1927-17 

Sarah (Morse), p. 76 
1691 Sarah (Holden), 18-1 
1793 Thomas, 1927-15 

LEARNED 
ml759 Jedediah, 21-47 
1740 Mary (Grant), 21-47 

LEATHERBEE — LARRABEE 
1729 Abial (Stratton), 16-13 
1682 Anna (Holden), 16-1 
?1726 Anna, 16^15 
ml745 Anna (Winship), 16-13 
1698 Ephraim, 16-1 
1720 Ephraim, 16-12 
?1724 John,16-14 
Mable, p. 65 

P1726 Priscilla (-), 16-14 

1718 Rebecca, 16-11 
Stephen, p. 65 
1722 Thomas, 16-13 

LEATHERS 

£ 1824 Elvira R.(Smith),19914-55 
LEAVITT 

m William, 19819-4 

LE CAIN 
ml800 Sarah, 21764 

LEE 

Huldah, 197-36 
ml820 Mebitable, 193K-8 


LEEDS 

M Charles, 2176-64 
LEIGHTON 

ml858 Oliver l\. 2657-11 
LELAND 

ml807 Bet scv. 19624-1 
ml825 Matilda L., 19912-3 

LE MOYNE 

ml839 Elizabeths.. 1925L-1 


LEONARD 
(1780 Polly. 199—43 

LEWIS 

(1715 Elizabeth, p. 100 note 

ULLE (ULLEY) 
m!757 Rebecca, 124-5 


LINCOLN 

ml830 Almira W., 16457—4 
ml8l6 Mary. 2622-6 

LINDSEY 
ml 791 Anna, 19245 


UP PITT 
1788 Anna, R872-2S 
1790 Anstiss, R872-29 
1777 Betsy. R872-22 
1786 Catherine, RS72-27 
Catherine, RS3-15 
1754 Charles, R83-19 

Charles W.. RS3-19 + 
ml736 Christopher, R83-1 
1744 Christopher, RS3-14 
1793 Edward, RS72-2K 
(1750 Freelove, R83-12 
1792 Hannah H.. R872-2J 
1797 Harriet, RS72-2M 
Henry, R83—19 + 

(1750 John, R6-66 
1763 John. RSS-lL 
1756 Loudon. R33-1J 
(1760 Mary, R8S-13 
1780 Mary, R872-24 
ml7S2 Moses, RS-41 
1751 Moses, RS3-18, R872-2 
1784 Nathaniel R872-26 
1776 Phebe, R872-21 
(1800 Sallmaplet, R642-9 
1782 Susan, RS72-25 
1779 Waite, R872-28 
1758 Waterman. RS3-1K 


LIVERMORE 
mlS35 Catherine, 19473-4 

LIVINGSTON 
Amy Sawtell. 197—9 + 
1797 Hannah tHolden), 19276-2 
1773 James, 197-9 + 
LOCKWOOD 


i Jeremiah, 1229-2K 
LONGLEY (see LANGLEY) 
(1800 Mary, 19475 
il790 Miriam, 19472-1 
11826 Olive, 19475-1 
[1822 Rhoda M., 19473-4 




ml801 A., 1925-N 

LOTHROPE 

ml897 Sarah A., 192J5-28 
LOUNSBERY 
ml819 Lydia, 12231-J 


LOVEJOY 

ml822 Lucinda, 193J-25 
ml863 Martha T., 12254-7K 


LOVELAND 
ml7S4 Isaac, 2212-3 

LOVELL — LOVEWELL 
m Enos, 1962-67 
ml739 John, 19-52 
1719 Rachel (Lun), 19-52 


438 INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


LOVETT 

ml826 Anthony, 16459 

LOW - LOWE • 
Abby, R642-K6 
11730 Ann, R8-23 
1805 Anteliza, R874-73 
1725 Anthony, R6-71 
11750 Anthony, R8-21 
1765 Bennett, R642-5 
m Charles, R874-6 

Elizabeth, R642-K4 
11737 Frances, R6-73 

1807 Hope A., R874-74 
1702 John, R6-7 

11750 John,R85-11 
c?1757 John, R8-2 
11757 John, R8-22 
11765 John, R85-15 
1802 Joseph H., R642-K3 

1808 Lyman P., R874-75 
ml748 Mary, R6-72 

Naomi, P., R642-K5 
11800 Penelope, R83-19 
1801 Phebe A., R642-K2 
1756 Richard, R642-7 
11800 Rosannah, R64-51 
Sally, R642-J 
ml797 Samuel, R642-K 
1775 Stephen, R874-7 

LUN — LUND 
1731 Charity, 19-53 
11750 Lucy, 19-53 
1733 Mary, 19-54 
ml859 Mary E., 18651-5K 
ml716 Rachel, 19-5 
1719 Rachel, 19-52 
?1720 Sarah. 19-51 
ml716 William, 19-5 
1717 William, 19-51 

LUSCOMB 

11812 Sarah, p. 197 

LUSK 

ml879 William, 1981K-22 
LUTHER 

ml841 Levina A., 1226S-8 

LYON — LYONS 
m Aaron, 1931-73 

ml842 Almira, 19248-5 
ml858 Maria, 19273-4 
1808 Sally, 19818 
ml807 Samuel B., 2172-21 

MALDT 

17S8 John, 197-9 + 

MALLOY 

ml877 Truman, 193K4-53 

MANLEY 

m Robert F., 22J1-4 

MANN 

ml778 Elizabeth, 199-31 
MANSUR 

1689 Lydia (Swan), 1-76 
ml844 Stephen, p. 317 
ml715 William, 1-76 

MANTON 
Esther, R642-J 

MARCH 

1736 Dorothy, 21-23 
ml847 Jacob D., 18651-61 

1735 Lydia, 21-21 

1699 Susanna (Holden), 21-2 
1742 Susanna, 21-24 
ml734 William, 21-2 

1736 William, 21—22 

MAREAN 
ml835 Carlotte, 26578 
1770 Elizabeth, 2657 
ml832 Lucy, 26578 


MARSH 

ml785 Jemima (Stevens), 12264 
ml856 John E., 12297-52 
ml822 Otis, 12268-1 
ml768 Samuel,, p. 251 
MARSHALL 
Adeline R., 19651-91 

1831 Frederic, 19651-93 
m Giles, 19651-6 

Harriet, 19651-92 
11800 Stephen,19651-9 

MARSTON 

ml849 Anna, 16456 

MARTIN 

m 1757 Hannah, R85 

Manasseh, p. 397 
ml845 Minerva J., 19852-M 
ml776 Rebecca, 19315 

MARVIN 

m Sarah 22368 

MASON 
ml791 Hannah, 12294 
ml751 James, R6-1 

MASTERS 

m James, 1931-15 

William, R874-71 

MATHER 

ml816 Eleazer, 19657-4 

MATTHEWS 

11900 Charles, 16220-95 

MAY 

11850 Sarah A., 2622-K2 
MAYBERRY 

ml844 Polly (-) , 16451-1 

ml831 Seward, 16451-8 

MAYNARD 
ml844 Mary H., 12253-1 

MAXHAM 
ml831 David, 193K4-1 
1845 George L., 193K4-14 
1834 Luther, 193K4-12 

1832 Marshall, 193K4-11 
1840 Martha, 193K4-13 
1834 Oscar, 193K4-15 

McCLENACHAN 

Sarah, 21725-1 

..MgCREA*' 

1844 Caroline M„ 19652-67 
1840 Helen L., 19652—66 
1828 Martha E„ 19652-61 
11828 Samuel, 19652-6 
1834 Samuel G., 19652-64 
1832 Sarah, 19652-63 
1838 William, 19652-65 

McCURLEY 

1840 Seth G., 21725-76 

McELROY 
Charles, 19627-84 
ml825 Eliza, 19627-3 

Frederick, 19627-87 
Lewis, 19627-8 
Lewis, 19627-83 
Margaret, 19627-81 

McFADDEN 

ml835 Jane, 19248-6 

McGILL 

11830 Anna, 26226 

McINTYRE 

ml833 A. Granville, 19652-J 
Abel. 2622-K 

ml790 Abigail, (Harwood), 2-46 
ml825 James, 2622-7 
1836 Marcia, 19652-J2 
1834 Richard, 19652-Jl 


McKinney 

m Patrick, 19484-71 

McLANAHAN 
ml842 Samuel, 19274-12 
ml853 Samuel, 19274-lJ 

McMASTER 
m Ophelia, 19915-13 

McMullen 

1821 Amy or 

1821 Emma (Holden), 19248-9 

McMURRAY 
ml846 Catherine, 22273-2 

McQUESTON 
Lettice, 192J-81 

MELLAN 

ml823 Michael, 21762-6 
MELLISH 

11873 David B„ 2172-J + 

1793 Elizabeth, 2172-27 
17S3 Eunice, 2172-22 
1781 Hannah, 2172-21 
1797 Hester, 2172-29 

ml7Sl John, 2172-2 
1801 John, 2172-2J 
11860 John H., 2172-J-p 
1795 Lydia, 2172-28 
1787 Nancy, 2172-24 

1791 Polly, 2172-26 

1785 Phineas, 2172-23 

m MENDELL 

ml793 Abijah, 12251-3 

MERRIAM 

1794 Abigail, 265-85 
ml841 Artemas, 26243-2 

1792 Asaph,265-84 
1856 Ida E., 26243-24 

1786 Joel, 265-81 

ml814 Lucinda, 265-65 
1846 Mary E., 26243-23 
1764 Nathan, 265-8 

1787 Nathan, 265-82 
ml814 Rebecca, 19251-8 

1790 Reuben, 265-83 

MERCHANT 
mlS04 Levina, 16313-4 

MERRICK— MIRICK 
ml 801 Abigail, 12221-6 
1808 Elizabeth, 1991-32 
ml797 Ephraim, 1991-3 
1801 Ephraim, 1991-31 
ml791 Fidelia, 19912 
ml 801 Fidelia, 19915 

MERRILL 
ml860 Ellen, 12254-79 
ml866 S. B., p. 279 

MESSER 

11850 Fifield II., 18651-13 
m Samandy, 19484-68 

METCALF 
ml790 Alice, 12221-3 
1801 Hannah (Holden), 2236-8 

MILES 

ml797 Patty, 2225-1 

MILLER 

1758 Elizabeth, 2622 
ml825 Jonas, 265-67 
ml836 Mary A., 23415-1 
ml849 Philip T., 192J9-2, 
19319 note 
ml795 Sally, 16417 
1812 Uriah, 193L-5 

MILLIKIN 

ml871 Hattie, 192J4-3K 

MILLS 

mlS28 Hannah W., 19347-8 



INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


439 


MINOTT 

ml812 Betsey, 12252-7 
m Charles W., 26221-72 

MINTER 

ml858 Sarah J., 18658-K 

MITCHEL 
Eleanor, p. 171, 172 
Elizabeth M. (Stevens), 
p. 171 

Francis, p. 172, 307 
Lawrence, p. 172 
ml802 Mary A., 192J9 

MOFFATT 

dl840 Paulina (Burgess), 1948-62 

MONROE — MUNROE 
ml833 Harriet, 16417-5 
ml794 Polly, 16414 
ml860 Sylvia, 12297-51 

MONT 
Sarah, 197-83 

MOORE 

1845 Aaron, 19484-68 
1851 Abel, 19484-6K 
1843 Almira, 19484-67 
1847 Amelia, 19484-69 
1849 Caroline, 194S4-6J 
1837 Ellen, 19484-65 
1835 Jane, 19484-64 
11826 John, 19484-6 
1839 John, 19484-66 
ml850 Lydia W„ 21723-2 
m Mary A., 19484-66 
1833 Mary, 19484-63 
1829 Otis, 19484-62 
1827 Seth, 19484-61, 19484-72 

MOORS 

ml810 Jonathan, 16451-4 
ml784 Sybil T., 16451 

MORGAN 
11840 Susan, 22J25 

MORRISON 

-, 192J-37 

-, 192J-3K 

MORSE 
1679 Abigail, 18 

Abigail (Shattuck), p. 74 
ml800 Amherst, 12252-3 
ml839 Harriet, 16417-6 
James, p. 74 
James, p. 74 
Jonathan, p. 74 
m Sybil, 1633-3 

MOSELEY 
1792 Andrew, 217-95 
1783 Charlotte, 217-94 
11775 Ebenezer, 217-9 
1780 Enenezer, 217-82 
1782 Hannah H., 217-83 
1769 Louisa (Holden), 1965-8 
Lovinia (Holden), 1965-9 
1778 Phineas H., 217-81 

Sophia (Holden), 1965—9 
1794 William, 217-86 

MOXON 

11860 Cynthia, 1924-83 

MUZZA 
ml796 Lydia, 12263 

NAGLE 

Joseph, family of, p. 363 n. 
NEEDHAM 

ml853 Jeremiah, 18651-12 

NELSON 

ml869 Fannie, 19276-5 
m Luman, 1229-21 


NEVERS 

1842 Alonzo J„ 16457-Jl 
Abigail, 16457-J9 
Benjamin, 16457-J6 
Esther, 16457-J8 
Ezra, 16457-J4 
Mary, 16457-JJ 
Nathan, 16457-J5 
Peter, 16457-J2 
Phebe, 16457-JK 
11840 William, 16457-J 
1828 William M., 16457-J3 

NEWHALL 
ml782 Elisha, 185-35 
11780 Martha, 185-37 
ml785 Susan B., (Florence), 
19272-42 

NEWTON 
ml761 Abigail, 21-61 

1842 Amon, 19484-75 
1849 Cyrus, 19484-78 

11830 Galen, 19484-7 
ml786 Hannah, 16315 
1844 Isaac, 19484-76 

1846 Joseph, 19484-77 
1832 Lovina, 19484-71 
1834 Lydia J., 19484-72 

m Lydia J., 19484-61 
1839 Philander, 19484-74 
1856 Orilla, 19484-7J 
1836 Otis, 19484-73 
1853 Rosannah, 19484-79 
ml769 Susan, 21-64 

NICCOLS 

m Rosetta, 19484-76 

NICHOLDS 
ml807 Eliza O., 22J24 

NICHOLS 

ml837 Adaline (Kennedy), 
19245—5 

ml796 Hannah, 19633 

Marietta, 2624-52 
Phebe, R874-8 
ml804 Phebe, 16459 

Roena, 2624-51 

NICKERSON 
ml889 Julia E., 192J4-L8 
m Mercy, 2176-63, 2176—65 

NILES 

ml 839 Clarissa, 193K4-2 

1858 Emma, 193K4-53 

1859 Eva, 193K4-54 
1849 Martha, 193K4-52 

ml847 Nathan, 193K4-5 

1847 Noble, 193K4-51 

NIMS — NIMMS 
Z1825 Hannah, 19245-7 
11820 Rueul, 19245-3 

NOBLE 

11850 Horace W., 2657-38 
NORRIS 

1832 Ann M., 192J4-86 
ml852 Caroline T., 192J4-85 

1849 Caroline A., 192J4— 8M 
1822 Charles H., 192J4-81 
1824 David, 192J4-82 
1830 George W., 192J4-85 
1836 Henrietta P., 192J4— 88 

1843 Harriet J., 192J4-8K 
ml821 John, 192J4-8 

1846 John A., 192J4—8L 
1841 Marietta L., 192J4-8J 
ml902 Mary E., 192J4-89 
1826 Mira A. C., 192J4-83 
ml848 Ruth B., 192J4-82 

1833 Sarah F., 192J4-87 
1838 William H., 192J4-89 


NORTHROP 
ml814 Polly, 1229—25 

NOTT 

ml788 Reuben, 1965-8 
NOURSE 

1826 Catherine E. (Smith), 
19914-16 

NOYES 
-,192J-34 

NUTTING r 
1730 Annes, 1962 

NUTTMAN 
ml825 Mary W., 22J25 

OAKES — OAKS 
ml781 Joanna, 185-36 
?1721 Mary, 2-47 
ml741 Sarah, 2-46 

OCKINGTON 
1695 Hannah, 199 

OGDEN 

(1835 David, 19245-K 

OLIVER 
ml827 Mary, 16455-1 

OLMSTEAD .. 
m Jedediah, 1229-33 

ONGE 

1583 Frances, p. 58 note 
1609 Mary, p. 58 note 
1622 Simon, p. 58 note 
Z1678 Jacob, p. 58 note 
ORMSBEE (see AMSBURY) 
John H., R855-41 

OWEN 
ml803 Sally, 19249 

PACKARD 

ml850 Sarah D., 22J29-2 
PADDOCK 

ml869 John D., 19652-66 

PADELFORD 
Mary (Doty), 1981-75 

PAGE — PAIGE 

1783 Asa, 1934-26 
1781 Betsy, 1934-25 

1793 Celinda, 1934-2M 

1784 Dennis H., 1934-27 

1794 Edy H., 1934-2N 
1790 Eleanor, 1934-2K 

ml860 Ellen S .(Pond), 16459-5 
ml833 Elizabeth, 1925—85 
ml 836 Hannah, 192J7-2 
ml853 Hannette C., 22369-1 
1786 James, 1934-29 
ml 775 Jonas, 1934-2 

1778 Jonas, 1934-22 
1777 Lucy, 1934-21 
1798 Lydia W., 1934-2P 

ml794 Lydia, 19348 
1788 Maria, 1934-2J 
ml 802 Mary, 19652 
ml788 Molly, 194-58 
1780 Philemon, 1934-24 

1779 Peter, 1934-23 

PAINE 

ml701 Elizabeth, R-31 
Mary J., 21728-3 

PALMER 

m Lucinda, 12252-22 
PARK 

1830 Ann H., 19472-34 
1828 Elvira L., 19472-33 
1836 Frances M„ 19472-36 
ml804 James, 12252-4 
ml820 John,19472-3 
1825 Mary E., 19472-32 
1821 William M., 19472-SI 





440 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


PARKER 

ml890 Alice, 1981K-23, 
1981K-43 

1791 Betsey, 192J4-4 
ml824 Charles, 18651-8 
1827 Caroline, 18651-62 
ml893 Charles O., 18658-71 
David, 197-32 
11850 Dexter F., 19473-52 
?1685 Ebenezer, 1-74 
1829 Elmira, 18651-63 
ml850 Elvira, 21725-K 
m Fanny J., 1962-53 
ml874 George F., 26579-J 
1724 Hannah, 226 
ml790 Hannah, 19627 
ml814 Hannah, 19624 
ml823 Hannah, 21762-3 
m Harriet, 19245-L 
1878 Helen, 26579-J 1 
m Jabez, 16452-4 
ml806 John, 265-24 
ml795 Lydia, 19631 
ml819 Mary, 197-89 
ml872 Mary, 1981K-21 
1826 Mary E., 18651-6 
m Robert, 1981K-2 
1685 Ruth (Swan), 1-74 
11810 Sarah, 1962-53 
mlS79 Sarah, 1981K-22 

PARKHILL 
ml766 Nathaniel, 1223-5 
PARKHURST 
ml851 George, 18651-63 
PARMENTER 
m David, 2341-3 

PARSONS, see PEARSON 
Samuel S., 21728-5 

PARTRIDGE 
ml803 Anna, 1229J 
PATCH 

11824 Samuel, 19373-2 
PATTERSON 
ml853 Margaret, 2622-41 
PAYSON 

ml791 Anna, 21725 
1824 Henry, 2176-74 
1818 John B., 2176-72 
1767 Samuel, 2176-7 
1816 Samuel T., 2176-71 
1822 Thomas, 2176-73 

PEARSON - PEARSONS 
Caroline (Holden), 
192J5-8 

ml799 Hannah,12251-4 
ml 805 Lois, 12251-7 
ml799 Lucy, 12251-6 
ml766 Nathan, 185-1 
PEASE 

<(1805 Tryphena (Holden), 
12432-1 

PEIRCE, see PIERCE 
ml806 Polly, 12256-1 
PERKINS 

mlS23 Joseph P., 1645-46 
PERRY 
ml794 Anna, 1963-4 
Samuel, 186-92 
ml778 Sarah, 12254 
ml794 Sarah, 194-15 

PEVEY 

ml858 Edward P., 18651-59 
PHILBRICK 
ml856 Sarah S., 2176-71 
PHILLIPS 

1846 Abby A., 26241-13 
1841 George W., 26241-12 


ml835 Ivory, 26241-1 
mlS26 Mary, 12221-K note 
1848 Nancy A., 26241-14 

PHINNEY 
m Eliza, 1645J-3 

PHIPPS 

Persis, R872-26 

PICKETT 

11800 Margaret, 185-39 
PIERCE 

ml685 Abigail, 18 note 
Anthony, p. 50 
Iva M., 192J4-03 note 
ml792 John, 2176 
1820 Lydia, 19471-11 
11820 L., 9471-1 
ml777 Mary, 19373 
11840 Morris, 19373-76 
ml792 Nathan, 1925-7 
1655 Nathaniel, family of p. 74 
1789 Polly, 12256-1 
ml829 Roxana, 192J9-1 
ml690 Sarah, 18 

PINLEY 

ml865 Erastus L., 2657-3J 
PIPER 

11840 Benjamin, 18651-51 
PITTS 

ml871 Araminta, J., 16451-71 
PLACE 

11710 Margaret (Stafford), R-58 
ml838 Thomas, 19245-8 

PLATTS 
ml778 Joseph,194-54 

PLUM 
11808 Eliza, 22J25 

PLUMMER 
ml812 Dorcas, 16452-1 

PLYMPTON 
1754 Hannah, 22J21 
ml805 Thomas R., 22J3-7 

POLAND 

ml829 Anna S., 19474-3 

POLLEY 

ml814 Rebecca, 19348-1 

POND 

ml814 Ashly, 1229-28 
ml860 Ellen S„ 16459-5 
ml806 Lavernia, 1229-23 

PORTER 

ml874 George F., 26479-J 

POTTER 
1725 Caleb, R87-1 
ml748 Joseph, R6-72 
ml814 Mary, 22254 
1729 Naomi, R642 

POWERS 
ml826 Ara, 19373-11 
1784 Phebe, 23411 

PRATT 

ml797 Abigail, 12234-4 
ml822 Betsey, 265-87 
Betsy, 1931-18 
1848 Emma F., 26221 
11820 Elizabeth, 19818 
1841 Edwin A., 26221 
ml792 Jonathan, 16313-1 
1794 Levi, 16313-11 
1796 Lesy (Lucy), 16313-13 
1798 Lucene (Lusene), 16313-13 
1800 Lucinda, 16313-14 
1796 Lucy, 16313-12 
m Lydia, 19484-87 
1829 Margaret, 12234-3 
ml809 Mary (Mercy), 19818 


ml839 Solomon, 26221-1 
ml821 William, 1865-6 

PRENTISS 

1819 Mary P., 265-28 + 
ml848 Sarah W., 2214K-1 

1780 Solomon, 265-28 

PRESCO 

ml846 Jane H., 12254-84 

PRESCOTT 
ml736 Nathan, 2-45 
1711 Usley (Ward), 2-45 

PRESTON 

(1845 Charles, 1948-63 

PRICE 
m Eliza, 22362 

PRIEST 

ml854 Harriet F., 26243-3 
ml818 Libbeus, 19379-1 

PRITCHARD 
ml801 Hannah, 22273 

PROCTOR 
m Sally, 192J-23 

PURPLE 

m Ezra S., 19474-6 

PUSHEE 

m Jonas, 1931-15 

PUTNAM 

ml812 Abigail, 19652-2 

1791 Betsy, 1965-63 
<(1830 Catherine, 1965-45 

Eben, p. vi 

1827 Edmund H., 19474-12 
(1800 George, 1965-48 
1838 Harriet R., 19474-15 
1798 Hiram, 1965-64 

1781 Holden, 1965-43 
1786 Ira, 1965-61 

1832 Janette A., 19474-14 
(1830 John,19373-2 
ml784 Levi, 1965-6 
1805 Levi, 1965-66 
<(1814 Lewis, 1965-46 
1829 Malvina, A. 19474-13 
ml825 Moses, 19474-1 
(1775 Pamelia, 196-13 
1789 Parker, 1965-62 
<(1824 Phila, 1965-42 
<(1889 Roswell, 1965-47 
1754 Seth, 1965-4 
(1800 Seth, 1965-44 

1780 Sophronia, 1965-41 
1800 Sophia, 1965-65 

ml838 Thomas, 19245-25 

RALPH, see ROLPH 
ml849 Susan S., 19819-2 

RAMSDELL 

mlS22 Lucy, 19343-2 

RAND 

1730 Elizabeth (Holden), 26-7 
1722 John, 26-7 
ml778 Jerusha (Sawyer), 26-71 
ml859 Mary, 12254-7J 
ml791 Nancy, 19274 
1752 Zachariah, 26-71 

RANDALL 
ml797 Ruth, 12252-1 

RAWSON 
1779 Anna,1229-22 
1800 Amanda, 1229-2K 

1781 Clark, 1229-23 
1802 Josiah H., 1229-2L 
1797 Laura, 1229-2J 
1786 Lydia, 1229-26 

1792 Lucinda, 1229-28 
1778 Polly, 1229-21 
1794 Safford, 1229-29 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


441 


1782 Sally, 1229-24 
1753 Simeon, 1229-2 
1784 Simeon, 1229-25 

RAY 

ml806 Abigail M., 16451-2 
7771864 Hannah, 19484-K 
11815 Heman, p. 322 note 
ml848 Margaret, 19484-K 
11860 Nancy, 19484-16 
7/11795 Persis, 19379 
7/11802 Polly, 16451-1 

RAYMOND 
7/11799 Mary, 19313-5 

KEDPATH 
7711822 label, 12238-9 

REDSTONE 
Vincent B., p. 22 

READ — REED 
7771685 Abigail (Pierce), p. 74 note 
11870 Charles, 19652-N5 
1845 Charlotte W., 21725-78 
1690 Elizabeth, 124 
7711682 Elizabeth (Holden), 1-K 
1690 Elizabeth, 1-K3 
7711685 George, p. 74 note 
1836 James H. L., 21725-74 
ml682 John, 1-K 
1684 John, 1—Kl 
tti1780 John, 198-6 
1842 Lucy H„ 21725-77 
1667 Martha (Boyden), 1-31 
7/71807 Martha, 1645J 
1849 Mary L., 21725-79 

Mary (Pierce), pp. 48,50 
Matilda, 19914-9 
1686 Ralph, 1-K2 
11664 Ralph, pp. 48, 50 
1833 Samuel P., 21725-73 
7771775 Sarah, 193K 
1799 Seth, 21725-7 
1840 Seth G., 21725-76 
1665 Timothy, 1-31 
1838 Wallace W., 21725-75 
1829 William E., 21725-72 

REMINGTON 
Caroline M., R874-K4 
Catherine, R874—K2 
Daniel, R874-K3 
Dewitt C., R874—J8 
Freelove, R874-J2 
George T., R874-J7 
Hannah, R874—Jl 
James, R874-K 
John, R874-J 
Mary, R8-49 
Mary, R874-J4 
Mercy, R874-J6 
Nancy, R83-1J 
Oliver, R874-J5 
Otis, R874-J3 
Roel, R6-68 
Sarah, R855-1 

REYNOLDS 
Cynthia, 12264-1 
Maria, 19245-L 
Martha, 16414-3 

RHODES 
Anthony, R8-46 
Cather ne, R8-43 
Charles, R8-44 
Holden, R8-44 + 

Holden, R8—49 
John, R8-4 
John, R8-42 
Joseph, R8y47 , „„„ 

Mary (Whipple), p. 393 
Phebe, R83 
Waite, R8-41 


1803 

1803 
1806 
1813 
1800 
1811 
1798 

7771799 

7771797 

11750 

1804 
1808 

11800 

1806 

1802 

11750 

7771771 


7771859 


1722 
1717 
1719 
11750 
1731 
1691 
1716 

1723 

1698 

1714 


77/1765 William, R855-3 
1727 Zachariah, R8-48 


RICE 

1738 Anthony, R6-69 
1727 Bethiah, R6-64 
7771855 Daniel, 193K5-4 
7771744 Dorothy, R855 
1723 Dorothy, R6-62 
1652 Elizabeth (Holden), R-2 
P1680 Elizabeth (-), R-22 

1734 Elizabeth, R861 

7/71695 Elnathan (Whipple), R-21 
1729 Ellen, R6-65 

1735 Frances, R6-67 
1722 Freelove, R6-61 

7771842 Harriet, 2657-31 
1732 Holden, R6-66 
1645 John, R-2 
1675 John, R-21 
7/71837 John S., 19627-9 
7/71842 Jedediah, 19474-6 
Levi, 12252-23 
Lydia, 12252-24 
1725 Mary, R6-63 
(1760 Olney, R83-12 
777 Perlethia A., 19915-14 
?1680 Randall, R-22 

1736 Robe, R6-68 
7/71795 Rufus, 12252-2 

Rufus, 12252—22 
7771820 Sally, 22J3-22 
7771820 Sally, 22J3-32 
7771824 Sally, 19346-6 
7771830 Submit D., 21762-4 
(1740 Thomas, R-66 
(1760 Thomas, R33-13 
1738 Waite, R872 
1738 Waite, R6-6J 


RICH 

7771831 Betsey, 16455-2 
777 I 868 Hattie, 26579-6 


RICHARDS 
1733 Catharine, 1991 
7771793 Lydia, 19812 
7771819 Robert, 192J-62 


RICHARDSON 
1717 Abiel, 12-52 
1687 Abigail (Swan), 1-75 
?1720 Abigail, 16-52 
1719 Abigail (Holden), 26-3 
Alice (Wyman), 12-51 


777 I 8 O 8 Addison, 1991-1 
7771788 Asa, 1225-7 
1700 David, 26-3 
7771838 Harriet A., 16457-9 
7771714 John, 1-75 
(1880 John, 26226—93 
(1708 Mary, R-34 
1742 Mary, 1865 
1774 Mary, 16417 
7/71825 Mary, 16414-6 
7771849 Margaret A., 2176-74 
1717 Rachel, 1223 
t/ 71777 Rachel, 12263 
t/ 71787 Rufus, 1226-7 
1685 Ruth (Swan), 1-74 
7/71791 Sarah, 185-32 
1694 Susannah (Holden), 12-5 
7771711 Theophilus, 1-74 
1688 Timothy, 12-5 
1715 Timothy, 12-51 


RICHMOND 
1808 Alexander P., 22J2-3S 
1807 Emeline H., 22J2-32 
1815 Henry A,. 22J2-37 
1805 Orlando, 22J2-31 
7771804 Ward, 22J2-3 

RICKERSON 

1844 Lydia (Rolph), 19249-47 


RIDDER 

(1845 Nancy, 18651-14 
RINGOLD 

dl862 Francis L., 21725-62 
ROBERTS 
7/71857 Clara, 193K4-8 
ROBBINS 

7/71799 Eleazer, 1931-13 
77/1765 Ephraim, 234-2 
7/71741 Ruth, 234 
777 Zebulon, 21723-6 
ROBERTSON 
7/71803 George, p. 368 
ROBINSON 
1851 Eliza C., 19248-K2 
7771803 George, p. 368 
dl869 James, 19249-41 
1805 Levi, p. 368 
1862 Lois J., 19248-K4 
1866 Lulu B., 19248-K6 
1849 Mary C., 19248-K2 
1855 Mary (Minnie) C., 
19248-K4 

1821 Matthew, 19248-K 
7771869 Richard, 19248-Kl 
7771810 Sarah (Hartwell), 23415 

1847 Sophronia, 19248-Kl 
Thomas, 1962-65 
ROBY 

777 Martha, 1931-76 
ROCKWELL 

77/1840 Lucretia P., 19272-5 
7?7 -, 1965-44 

ROCKWOOD 
ml796 Sukey, 19474 

ROGERS 

7771843 Harriet P., 19476-7 

1822 Mary E., 22273-2 
77/1857 Sarah, 19472-23 

ROLLINS 

7771863 Sarah A., 19348-7 
ROLPH 

Ainsworth, 19249-45 
7771824 John, 19249-4 
dl900 Laura S., 19249-41 
77/1855 Louise, 19249-42 

1844 Lydia, 19249-47 

1840 Martha, 19249-46 
Stephens, 19249-43 
Susan,19249—44 

7771842 Tryhosa, 19379-7 
ROOT 

1841 Edward W., 265—35 + 

1845 Elihu, 265-35 + 

(1838 Oren, 265-35 + 

1838 Oren, 265-35 + 

ROPER 

7/71846 Dimrous, 19819 
ROSS 

777 David R., 19248-J3 

1896 David, 19248-J3 + 
ROUNDS 

1873 Sarah E., 16417-6 
RUSSELL 

777 Abraham, 23415-6 

Charles, 23415-61 
1698 Elizabeth (Dickson), 26 
dl872 Harvey, 19475-M 
(1720 Hubbard, 26 
7/71733 James, 12-13 
1709 Mary (Foskett), 12-13 
1717 Sarah, 193 
7771782 Sarah, 194-55 
RUTTER, 

Elizabeth, p. 57 
John, p. 57 
1647 Mary, 2 




442 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


SABINE 

m William, 1931-11 
SAGE 

1814 Caleb, 19245-22 
1821 Clarissa, 19245-25 

1811 Lyman, 19245-2 
ml821 Maria, 19651-3 

1826 Nestor, 19245-27 
1824 Orrin, 19245-26 

1812 Polly, 19245-21 
1819 Phebe A., 19245-24 
1830 Paulina, 19245-28 

1837 Sally A., 19245-2J 
(1819 Simeon, p. 210 

1832 Solomon, 19245-29 

SAMPSON 

ml830 Elizabeth G., 21728-3 
ml828 Maria L., 265-36 

SANBORN 
m Abigail, 23419 
11840 Edmund, 19652-31 
ml842 Sarah A., 23415-2 
ml797 Tristram, 186-J3 

SANDERSON 
to Abijah, 1931-79 
11792 Moses, 1925-5 
m1794 Patience, 19256 
to 1791 Sarah, 19256 

SANFORD 
Ann V., 22J21-2K 
ml816 Bathsheba, 22J29 
Charles, 22J21-27 
Edward, 22J21-26 
Emeline, 22J21-2J 
Franklin, 22J21-J8 
Frederick, 22J21-2L 
George W., 22J21-25 
Henry V., 22J21-24 
Levi H., 22J21-21 
Thomas H., 22J21-22 
11820 William R., 22J21-2 
William R., 22J21-23 

SANGER 

1736 Abigail (Jennison), 21-62 
ml755 William, 21-62 

SAUNDERS 
to1819 Sally, 19912-1 

SAWIN 
ml829 Mary, 265-88 
to 1803 Phebe, 22J3-1 

SAWTELL 
1758 Abigail, 194-54 
1695 Hannah, 193 
1761 Hezekiah, 194-55 
1756 Joanna, 194-53 
to 1749 Jonathan, 194-5 

1753 Jonathan, 194-51 
1766 Josiah, 194-58 
1763 Maria, 194-56 

1754 Mary, 194-52 
1765 Rebecca, 194-57 

SAWYER 

to 1855 Jabez A., 192J5-21 

1838 James H., 19248-52 
ml778 Jerusha, 26-71 

1836 Mary E., 19248-51, 
19249-13 

to 1834 Merrick, 19248-5 
to Nancy, 1931-7L 
to 1741 Ruth (Robbins), 234 

SAXTON 

to 1858 Hannah B., 192J4-L5 
SAYWARD 

to 1863 Josephine, 21762-19 

SCOTT 

to 1838 Elisha, 19627-J 


SEAGER 

(1749 Ephraim, 21-44 
1729 Abigail (Stratton), 21-44 

SEARLE 
Alice, R872-1 
11750 Richard, R6-1 

SEDGWICK 
Stephen, 19651-92 
William, 19651-91 

SELLECK 

to 1833 Sally A., 12434-J 

SEVER — SEAVER 
Emily, 19812-45 
1809 Louisa, 19373-13 
ml 822 Luther, 19812-4 
1829 Luther, 19S12-42 
1831 Mary, 19812-43 
1799 Mary B., 19373-11 
to 1798 Samuel, 19373-1 
1825 Sarah, 19812-41 
1805 Valeria A., 19373-12 

SEYMOUR 
ml 832 Annie L., 2236K 
ml841 Betsey, 19818-2 
m Deborah, 19818-1 

to William F., 2236K-1 

SHAFFER 
to 1834 Mary, 19273-3 

SHANTEE 

to 1870 Phebe, 193K4-51 

SHATTUCK 
1698 Abigail, 26 
1847 Emma H., 192J7-41 
m1846 George W., 192J7-4 
1859 Helen M., 192J7-44 
1851 Jennie IL, 192J7-42 
ml703 Joanna, 23 
1736 Job, 192-11 
ml753 Mary, 19-J2 
1854 Mary A., 192J7-43 
dl728 Susanna, 21 

Susanna (Randall), p. 89 
dl687 W T illiam, family of, p 85, 
p. 89 note 

SHAW 

ml843 Elizabeth B„ 19627-K 

SHEDD-SHED 
to 1798 Asenath, 1931-14 
to 1823 Daniel, 16414-5 note 
1824 Daniel, 16414-5 note 

ml762 Elizabeth (-), 1926 

1803 Martha (Holden), 16414-5 

SHEPARD 

ml823 David P., 1645-48 

SHEPARDSON 
Vina, 21761-2 
SIIEPLE 

?1680 Lydia (Larkin), 1-34 

SHERBERT 

ml875 Joseph H., 21725-79 

SHIPLEY 

1805 Cynthia, 19313 note 
ml793 Josiah, 19313-1 

SHIPMAN 

11820 Caleb H., 22 J2-K 
Elizabeth, 22J2-K5 
Emma, 22J2-K3 
Henry, 22J2-K6 
James, 22 J2-K2 
m 1829 Julia, 19471-5 
Mary, 22J2-K4 
William, 22J2-K7 

SHERBURNE 
ml902 Mary E. (Norris), 
192J4-89 


SHIELDS 

-, 12253-3 

SHINKLE 

to 1832 Melinda, 19276-3 
SHOTTENKIRK 
ml804 Lydia, 12234-3 

SHUMWAY 
1801 Lewis, 12253-6 
1835 Quincy, 12253-6 note 

SHUTE 
ml827 Lucv, 16459-1 
ml832 Phebe, 16459-4 
SIBLEY 

1817 Harriet A., 12252-62 
1813 James H., 12252-61 
ml 811 Samuel, 12252-6 
1827 Samuel L., 12252-63 

SILL 

to David, 1934-2J 
SILOWAY 

ml814 Jedediah, 19657-1 

SIMONDS — SIMONS 
Asa, 12411-6 
ml841 Betsey, 16414 
(1792 Naomi, 12411-61 
ml876 S. Dwight, 26243-24 

SIMONTON 

ml808 Christina (Dyer), 197-87 

SIMPSON 
ml770 Huldah, 1963 

SINGLETON 
ml845 Sarah F., 21725-K 

SKILLINGS 

ml841 John, 21728-6 

SKINNER 

ml708 Mehitable (Durrant), p.62 
to1708 Thomas, p. 62 

SLADE 

ml823 John, 19375-1 

SLATE (SLEAGHT) 

ml810 Rhoda, 1641-3 

SLATER 
m Abigail, 19818-1 
(1917 Mary S. (Boyden), p. 48 n 

SLOAN 
1760 David, 1925-3 
ml778 Lydia, 19251 

SMEAD 

m 1793 Mary, p. 126 note 
SMITH 

1819 Benjamin H., 19914-12 
1826 Catherine E., 19914-16 
Clara, 19914-14 
to 1823 Cyrene, 2172-2J 
to 1780 Eli, 262-1 
(1855 Elizabeth (Holden), 

12231-8 

1824 Elvira R., 19914-15 
George, 19914-19 
(1860 Halsey, 19245-2J 
1822 Hannah B., 19914-13 
m Hannah, 12251-5 
(1720 Joseph, R-57 

Lucy R., 19914-18 
ml799 Mary, 12253 
ml820 Mary, 1865-31 
1817 Mary T., 19914-11 
1795 Moses, 19914-1 
m Moses, 19914-11 
to 1784 Olive, 2624 
ml79l Samuel T„ 197-9 
ml812 Sally, 19316-5 
m Sally K., 22361 
(1720 Sarah (Stafford), R-57 
to Sarah, 12294-1 




INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


443 


Sarah A., 19914-17 
ml818 Susan, 19475-2 

SNELL 

William H., 2622-44 

SNOW 
Z1780 Anna, 186-92 

1835 George B., p. Ill note 
ml767 Seth, 186-9 

1768 Seth, 186-91 
SOLIS 

ml814 Frederick, 19272-2 
SOMERBY 

ml847 Robert, 19473-33 

SOUTHER 
ml745 John,16-6 
ml745 Mary (Holden), 16-6 

SPALDING — SPAULDING 
ml868 Annie E., 18651-5L 
1853 Clara A., 192J5-56 
1845 Elizabeth J., 192J5-54 

1836 Frances A.,192J5-51 
1841 Henry, 192J5-52 
1848 John N., 192J5-55 

Lois (male), R872-2M 
ml835 Stillman, 192J5-5 
1843 Winslow I., 192J5-53 

SPEAR 

ml831 Eliza A., 192J4-K 
SPENCER 

ml814 Elizabeth G., 12294-1 
m Wm., 1229-2J 


SPICER 

ml851 Mary E., 193K5-7 
SPOONER 

ml 852 Amelia, 1229J-8 
ml851 Rhoda, 1229J-7 
SPRAGUE 
ml818 Nabby, 186-J4 
STAFFORD 
<(1756 Elizabeth, R-55 

(1700 Elizabeth (-), R-53 

ml701 Frances, R-54 
<(1753 John, R-53 
(1746 Joseph, R-52 
1648 Joseph, R-5 
ml871 Lucy A., 12254-7J 
(1700 Margaret, R-58 
(1740 Margaret (Huling), R-52 
(1700 Mary, R-56 
(1850 Mary S., 19473-51 
1658 Sarah (Holden), R-5 
(1710 Sarah, R-57 
ml766 Sarah, R6—71 
<(1740 Stukeley, R-51 
(1700 Susanna (Gorton), R-52 

STANTON 

ml848 Laura A., 19471-64 


STAPLES 

ml841 John L. K., 2341-28 
m Nancy, 19914-12 
STEARNS 

ml 803 Priscilla, 1925-J 
ml832 Sally C., 16457-6 


STEELE 

ml813 Orpha, 19624-7 
to Samuel, 19624-9 
STETSON 

ml848 Fanny B., 192J4-81 
ml843 Mary J., 22361-1 
STEVENS — STEPHENS 
to Albert, 16455-8 
ml836 Betsey, 16455-5 

Elizabeth, M.» p. 171 
ml785 Jemima, 12264 
m Joel, 16451-3 
1800 Rebecca (Holden), 12432-7 


m Sarah A., 1645-3L 

m , 19347-9 

m , 12432-7 

STEWART — STUART 
ml821 Betsey, 192J-61 

Elizabeth (Davis), 12231-83 
ml832 Eliza, 19348-7 
ml811 Tryphena, 12238-7 

STILES 

ml803 Phebe (Austin), 1963 

STOCKWELL 
1714 Grace (Eddy), 2-51 
ml746 Jabez, 2-51 
ml789 Joel, 1229-5 
ml865 Lydia B., 192J9-1 
STONE 

1691 Abigail, 194 
ml823 Abraham, 1934-2N, 
1934-2P 

m James, 16452-3 
1742 Joel, 196-7 
1765 Joel, 196-71 
ml811 Lydia, 1225-72 
1773 Millie, 190-74 
ml852 Samuel L., 19652-63 
Sarah, 2321 note 
(1790 Svbil (Howe), 194-58 
1767 William, 196-72 

STOUGHTON 
ml848 Laura A., 19471-64 
STOVER 

1801 Hannah (Cummings), 
192J-28 
STOWELL 

(1923 Bertha (Rolph), 19249-431 
ml 789 Joel, 1229-5 note 
STRANG 
1814 Mary, 22J25-2 
STRATTON 
1729 Abial, 16-13 
1729 Abigail, 21-44 
1727 Eunice, 21-43 
1689 John, 21-4 
1732 John, 21-45 
1722 Josuha, 21-42 

Mary (Coolidge), 21-45 
1704 Mercy (Holden), 21-4 
1735 Mercy, 21-46 
(1740 Mercy (Coolidge), 21-42 

STRICKLAND 
ml850 Lucelia A., 18651-56 
STURDEVANT-STURTIVANT 
m Cephas, 1927-13 
m Olive, 19246-3 
SUMNER 

1825 Andrew, 21762-15 
1818 Beulah, 21762-12 
1823 Charles, 21762-14 
1833 Clarence, 21762-19 
1821 Ebenezer O., 21762-13 
ml816 Ebenezer, 21762-1 
1827 Edward, 21762-16 
1817 John H., 21762-11 
ml811 Rhoda, 21762 
1829 Sarah E., 21762-17 
SUTTON 

1874 Edward F. H., 22J29-94 
1876 Frederick J., 22J29-95 
ml859 J. Ford, 22J29-5, 22J29-9 
1869 Joseph H., 22J29-92 
SWALLOW 
m?1706 Benjamin, 1-41 
to? 1706 Elizabeth (Williams), 1-41 

SWAN 
1687 Abigail, 1-75 
1654 Gershom, 1-7 
John, p.49 


1683 John, 1-73 
?1685 Elizabeth, 1-73 
1689 Lydia, 1-76 
ml 853 Mary E., 18658-J 

Rebecca (Palfrey), p. 49 

1698 Rebecca, 1—77 
1685 Ruth, 1-74 

1658 Sarah (Holden), 1-7 

1699 Sarah, 1-71 

SWEET 

m William, 19316-6 

SWICK 

- (Holden), 19347-2+ 

Theodore, 19347-2 + 

SYLVESTER 
1824 Horace, 2236-33 
ml817 Joseph, 2236-3 
1818 Joshua, 2236-31 
1821 Margaret, 2236-32 
m Rutli, 22362 

TAINTER — TAINTOR 
ml 848 Ephraim C., 19472-33 
(1845 Erving, 1948-64 
TALMAN — TOLMAN 
ml774 Elijah, 21-69 
1753 Mercy (Mary) (Jennison), 
21-69 

TANNER 
ml803 Relief, 19485-2 
TAPLIN 

(1780 -, 1965-5 

1764 Amy (Holden), 1965-5 

TATE 

Benjamin S., 22J21-5 

1830 Charles, 22J21-51 

1831 Elizabeth, 22J21-51 

1835 Franklin, 22J21-53 

1836 Theodore, 22J21-54 

TAY 

1753 Lucy, 185-2 
1724 Nathaniel, 185-1 
1755 Nathaniel, 185-13 
1749 Ruth, 185-11 
ml817 Sally, 16414-2 
TAYLOR 

1693 Abigail (Holden), 18-3 

1715 Abigail, 18—22 
1723 Ebenezer, 18-24 
1728 Elizabeth, 18-26 

(1820 Hannah, 12256-6 

1716 John,18-23 
ml778 Jonas, 192-92 
ml818 Lucy, 194-55 
ml806 Patty, 12253-1 

1726 Sarah, 18-25 

TEMPLE 
ml825 Lydia, 16414-3 
ml835 Phebe, 19379-5 

TENNANT 

ml863 Pulaski W., 192J4-8K 
THAYER 

1847 Horace H., 22J29-13 
ml839 Lucinda, 2176-71 jj 
to Obadiah A., 22J25-5 

1845 Sophia H., 22J29-12, 
to 1840 Stephen H., 22J29-1 
1842 Stephen H., 22J29-11 

THOMAS 

(1750 -, 21-56 

to Maria, 19276-J 

ml847 Pamelia, 18651-54 
to 1853 Sarah E., 21725-72 
m -, 21-56 

THOMPSON 
to 1809 Anna, 12263-3 
(1825 Cynthia, 12256-9 
1757 Molly, 22J3 







INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


444 


m Moses, 19484-64 
7771832 Rachel B., 12237-L 
11865 Sarah, 19379-4 
ml786 Susanna, 18651 

THURSTON 

1835 Abel M., 16451-71 
1833 Abigail F., 16451-75 
1845 Amelia K., 16451-79 
1831 Charlotte, 16451-74 

7771825 David, 16451-7 
1843 David W. P., 16451-78 
7771788 Hannah, 196-18 
1829 John H., 16451-73 
1827 Martha A., 16451-72 

1836 Sybil, 16451-76 
1839 Syrene, 16451-77 

TILL —TILLE 
7711842 John T., 22361 

1845 Sarah, 22361-21 
7711766 Sarah, 1981 

TILLINGHAST / 
tti 1729 Pardon, R-J6 

TIRRELL 

7711837 Sarah J., 192J-67 

TISDALE 

0780 Ruth, 199-43 

TODD 

0830 Chloe, 193K2-4 
7711856 Shubael, D. 19652-33 

TOLMAN, see TALMAN 
tr 1794 Benjamin D., 2173 - 
1801 Benjamin, 2173-23 
1796 Elijah, 2173-21 
tti 1779 Susannah J., 21734 
tti 1799 Susanna L., 19313-4 note 
1798 Susanna, 2173-22 
1806 William H., 21723-26 
1804 Mary, 2173-25 

TOOLEY 

0850 John, 19245-28 

TOPLIFF 

7711820 Samuel, 2176-8 

TOWNER 

7711823 Delia, 12238-K 

TOWNSEND 
t?i 1773 David, 21-66 
1748 Sarah (Jennison), 21-66 
7711829 Lydia, 12294-2 
1803 William B., 19276-7 

TRAIN 

0738 Samuel, 22-9 

TRASK 
0785 Sarah, 199-45 
TRAVF1NR 
0840 Charles S., 2624-53 
TREVITT 

tti 1874 Sara J., 192J-66 

TREVOR 

1844 Andrew M., 19476-45 

1846 Edward D., 19476—46 
1841 Eliza H., 19476-43 

7771835 Hugh, 19476-4 
1843 Rose S., 19476-44 
TRIMBLE 

777 Andy H., 1924J-42 
TRIPP 

7771835 W'illet G., 265-8K 

TROOP 

7771814 Cynthia, 19248 

TRUFANT 

7771845 Julia G., 21762-J 

TRULL 

7771851 Silas S., 19272-43 


TUCKER 

777 Elisha, 19914-16 
7771887 Freeman P., 19652-N7 
7771766 Jemima, 12234 
TUFTS 
1773 Amrni, 197-36 
1784 Amos, 197-3J 
1770 Charles, 197-34 
7771870 Edgar N., 192J4-86 
1767 Eleazer, 197-33 
1765 Elizabeth, 197-32 

Jane (-), 197-36 

1729 Jonathan, 197-3 
1764 Jonathan, 197-31 
1776 John, 197-37 
1773 Simon, 197-35 

TURNER 

7771820 Amasa, 12264-3 
1805 Ann, 2173-38 
7771790 Elisha, 2173-3 
1795 Lvdia, 2173-35 
1803 Lucy, 2173-37 
777 Rachel, 26577-8 
TUTHERLY 

7771823 Elizabeth H., 19474-12 
TUTTLE 

1829 Abby M., 19272-43 
1841 Angelina A., 19272-44 
1828 Eliza J., 19473-52 
7771831 Elizabeth (Hunt), 19473 
1826 George S., 19272-42 
7771823 Israel, 19272-4 
1825 Joseph, 19272-41 
1825 Joseph H., 19473-51 
0760 Lucy, 221-5J 
1733 Simon, 221-5 
7771825 Simon, 19473-5 
7771766 Sarah, 1981 
7771838 Thomas W\, 21762-12 

TWITCHELL 

7771867 Esther L., 19474-1 note 
Eunice, 19315 note 
7771821 Peter, 12263-L 
TYLER 

1815 Alma E., 19472-11 
7771814 Edward, 19472-1 

1823 Elizabeth, 19472-16 
1820 Harriet N., 19472-15 
1820 James R., 19472—14 
1818 John F., 19472-13 
7771832 Orrin A., 19375-5 
777 Sally, 1981K 

1816 Susan, 19472-12 

ULMER 

7771803 Charles, 22J3-6 
UNDERWOOD 
777 Betsy (Hale), 192J-35 

7771856 Charles, 18651-6 
?1730 James, 19-54 
1733 Mary (Lun), 19-54 
7771862 Sarah M., 26243-4 

UPPER 

7771890 Mary A., 1924J-62 

UPTON 

7771799 Rebecca, 18654 

VANCE 

7771849 Christine T., 19273-7 
VAN DORN 
7771845 Mary M , 22J3-39 

VAN NORMAN 
Belle (Jenkins), 19249-4177 

VAUGHN 

7771847 Amelia, 19316-9 

VERMELYCA 
7771864 Sarah, 19475-K4 

VINCENT 
r 0825 Philip, 2236-7 


VINTON 

7771771 Thomas, 122-42 

VO AX 

7771819 Caroline, 19819 

VOSE 

7771799 Ann, 22J21 
7771812 Thomas, 2176-31 

WADSWORTH 
7771825 Martha W., 12254-J 

WAITE — WAITT 
7771854 Caleb, 16459-7 
1734 Dorothy, 1947 

Mary A., 16459-2 
1843 Sarah F., 16455-7 note 
1839 Sarah E., 16455-7 note 
7771833 William, 16455 
1834 William O., 16455-71 

WALCOTT 
7771840 Lyman, 22J3-38 
WALES 

7771797 Nabby M., 12234-2 

WALKER 
7771884 Mrs., 19248-6 
1750 Abigail, 194-14 

Artemas, 12231-11 
1753 Asa, 194-15 
0861 Charles C., 194-15 + 
David, 12231-12 
Hannah, 12231-14 
1756 Isaac, 194-16 
1758 Jabez, 194-18 
0 785 John, 12231-1 
7771751 Lucy, 1934 
1756 Nathaniel, 194-17 
Pollv, 12231-12 

0780 Sally (-), 194-15 

7771814 Sally P., 16452-2 
7771794 Sarah (Perry), 194-15 
1717 Seth, 194-1 
1747 Seth, 194-13 

Sophine, 12231-15 
1745 Sybil, 194-12 

WALL 

7771769 Susannah, R8-49 

WALLACE 
Charles K., 1924J-L3 + 
7771883 David W., 1924J-L3 
777I8SO Sarah A. (Groom), 

26226-1 

Stuart A., 1924J-L3 + 
William G., 1924J-L3 + 

WALSH 

0840 Walter, 19484-11 
WALTON 

7771860 Benjamin B., 16451-77 
WARD 

7771790 Abigail (Harwood-Mc- 
Intire), 2-46 
1706 Absolam, 2-42 
0775 Artemas, Gen., p. 57, note 
1719 Benjamin, 2-47 
1705 Ephraim, 2—41 
?1720 Hannah (Ward) 2-41 
7771774 Hannah, 21-68 
7771849 Joanna B., 21764-6 
1679 Mary (Holden), 2-4 
? 1710 Mary Wilkinson,2-42 
?1721 Mary (Oaks), 2-47 
7771751 Rebecca, 1243 
1678 Samuel, 2-4 

1710 Samuel, 2-44 
Sarah (How), p. 57 

7771741 Sarah (Oaks), 2-46 
?1707 Susannah (Weeks), 2-41 
1708 Tamur, 2-43 
1716 Uriah, 2-46 

1711 Usley, 2-45 




INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


445 


WARDNER 
ml792 Lydia, 19475 

WARE 
ml751 Rebecca, 1243 
ml822 Sarah, 12237-8 

WARNER 

ml840 Betsey (Graves), 193K4 
ml751 Elizabeth, R6-66 
Elizabeth, R642-3 
ml845 Evelina A., 26241-3 
ml840 George W., 19471-63 
Sarah, R642-1 

WARREN 

ml793 Benjamin, 1931-13 
1798 Betsey, 1943-91 
ml802 Charles, 19316-1 
Charles, 19316-11 
Chauncey, 19316—14 
1800 Cymantah, 1934-92 
Edmund, 19316-13 
11882 Horace, 19316-19 
James, 19316—18 
1803 Joanna, 1934-94 
ml798 John,1934-9 
1802 John ,1934-93 
1835 Levi N., 19316-12 
11780 Lovell, 1965-3 
ml828 Mary A., 2624-8 
Mary, 19316-16 
ml875 Mary A., 192J4-82 
11882 Sarah, 19316-17 
Sullivan, 19316-15 

WASHBURN 
ml848 Peter, 19348-4 

WASON 
ml 770 Martha, 19313 
WATERMAN 
1664 Bethiah, R6 
11730 Elizabeth, R-51 
ml837 Elizabeth P., 12297-6 
1822 Nancy,12297-4 
WATKINS 
ml790 Anna, 194-18 

WATMOUGH 
ml733 Rebecca, R.-97 
WATROUS 

m Jemima, 19818-5 
WATSON 

ml832 Elmira, 19914-5 
1731 Mary (Farnsworth), 21-51 
ml763 Sarah, 21-48 
-, 1965-48 

WEAVER 
ml747 Anne, R8-47 

WEBB 

ml829 Almira W., 21725-4 
1837 Ann E., 12297-52 
ml 833 George W., 12297-5 
1834 Henry, 12297-51 
ml740 Jeremiah, R6-61 
1839 Mary, 12297-53 
ml839 Sarah A., 19316-9 

Thomas, brother-in-law of 
Richard Holden, p. 55 

WEBBER 

m Benjamin, 16452-5 
ml824 Esther, 16456-1 
(1812 Phila, 19348-3 

WEEKS 

?1707 Susannah, 2-41 
ml825 Timothy, 265-89 

WELLINGTON 
ml827 Louisa, 16417-4 
WETHERBEE 
(1775 Abraham, 194-53 
1824 Eliza H., 12254-78 


1827 Henry, 12254-79 
ml 809 Jeremiah, 12254-7 
1832 Jeremiah O., 12254-7K 
1812 Mary P„ 12254-72 
1820 Mercy W., 12254-76 
1814 Moses H., 12254-73 
m Nancy, 19818-1 

1810 Sarah H., 12254-71 
1829 Seth H., 12254-7J 
ml788 Thomas, 194-56 
1863 Winthrop, 12254-7Knote 

WELD 
ml803 Elenor, 18657 

WELDEN 

m Chapman H., 1931-78 

ml794 Sarah, 2212-2 

WELLMAN 
1840 Caroline, p. 307 
1836 Hannah, p. 307 
1834 Horace, p. 307 
1824 Jane, p. 307 
rfl818 Sarah, 19312-4 
Timothy, p. 307 

WELLS 

1752 Anstress H., R85-16 
ml836 Aurelia A., 22273-6 

1747 Barbara, R85-15 
ml796 Betsey, 12221-1 

1745 Charles, R85-14 

1772 Charles, R64-51 
ml740 John,R85-1 

1755 John H., R85-17 
ml 770 John, R64-5 
ml876 Mary I., 192J4-L6 
1741 Penelope, R85-12 
1776 Randall, R64-53 

1773 Rose, R64-52 

WELTON 

ml829 Tamar S., 19249-1 
WENTWORTH 
11820 Phileta, 1965-66 

WETHERELL 
1589 Sarah, p. 55 
11663 John, family of, p. 55 note 

WHEAT 
-, 192J-3J 

WHEELER 
ml835 Betsey, 265-8J 
1750 Elizabeth, 196-12 
1755 Eunice, 196-14 
1838 James N., 2622-K3 
1768 John,196-18 
1757 Lydia, 196-15 
1766 Maria, 196-17 
ml725 Mary, 221 
1781 Mary, 22J24 

1829 Mary E., 2622-K1 
1760 Phebe, 196-16 

ml 747 Moses, 196-1 
1752 Moses, 196-13 
ml 827 Nathaniel, 2622-K 
m Roger, 1931-71 

1748 Sarah, 196-11 

1834 Stephen N., 2622-K2 

WHEELOCK 
ml 836 Lambert, 12252-8 
ml740 Sarah, 1931 

WHICHER 
dl852 Abner, 19652-3 
ml777 Hannah, 194-51 
ml858 Jane, 19652-32 

1830 Lidana, 19652-33 

WHIPPLE 
James, p. 393 

Mary (-), R8-4 

(1840 Willard, 19245-11 
ml841 William J., 21725-6 


WHITCOMB 
ml 804 Cornelius, 193K-3 
ml787 Joanna (Bruce), 1981 
1813 Lucy, 16457-8 

WHITE 

1796 Abigail, 265-29 
1787 Abner, 265-26 

Abner, p. 138 note 
1812 Augusta, 1865-54 
1786 Augustine, 265—25 
ml799 Benjamin, 2175-1 
ml852 Caroline, 19652-12 
ml816 Charles K„ 19652-3 

1802 Clarinda, 1865-51 
Davis, 265-28, p. 138 note 

1809 Eliza, 12252-52 
1776 Elizabeth, 265-21 
1817 James, 12252-56 

1803 Joanna, 1865—52 
1748 John, 265-2 

1782 John, 265-23, p. 138 note 
ml807 John, 12252-5 
1811 John, 12252-53 
ml83S Joseph, 16417-8 
1821 Harriet, 19652-31 

1808 Lorenzo, 12252-51 
1792 Lucy, 265-28 

ml815 Lucy, 19471-4 
ml860 Maria J., 21761-3 
ml800 Mark, 1865-5 
1784 Mary, 265-24 
1821 Mary, 12252-57 

Nelson, p. 138 note 
1790 Rebecca, 265-27 

1809 Samuel, 1865-52 
Samuel W., 1865-52 -f- 

ml805 Sewell, 2175-3 
1815 Silas, 12252-55 

Susan (Hale), 192J-36 
1826 Warren, 12252-58 
WHITEMAN 
ml832 Statira, 16452 

William C., p. 267 

WHITFORD 

(1700 Mary (Stafford), R-58 
(1700 Pasco, R-56 

WHITING 
ml782 Abigail, 12256 
ml835 Abigail P., 12256-K 
1761 Amos, 1225-7 
1786 Amos, 1225-72 
1784 Josiah, 1225-71 

LucvR. (Smith), 19914-18 
ml853 O. R., 19472-26 
WHITMAN 

1836 Edwin O., 19475-K2 
1834 Esther A., 19475-Kl 
1840 John J., 19475-K4 

1843 Levi H., 19475-K5 
ml832 Otis, 19475-K 

WHITNEY 
1797 Cynthia, 265-87 
ml815 Dolly, 26243 
1840 Eli W„ 16457-72 

1844 Elden S„ 16457-73 
1850 Elenor F., 16457-75 
1804 Elizabeth B., 265-89 

m Elijah, 1931-12 
ml875 George M., 19248-K4 
1802 Horace, 265-88 
(1836 James, 16457-7 
ml796 Joel, 265-8, 265-9 
1836 John C., 16457-71 
1799 Joseph H., 265-87 
m Joseph, 19484-63 
1791 Lucy, 265-91 
ml835 Mehitable, 12256-32 
m Rebecca, 1934-29 
1810 Relief F., 265-8K 
ml816 Rufus, 193L-7 




440 


INDEX OF OTHER NAMES 


1807 Theodore, 265-8J 
1847 Zebina G., 16457-74 

WHITTAKER 
ml846 Charles E., 19915-12 

WHITTEMORE 
1778 Jonathan, 186-73 
1731 Joseph, 186-7 
1773 Joseph, 186-71 
?nl800 Joseph, 12263-1 
1785 William, 186-75 

WICKS — WICKES 
1712 Richard, R85-1 

1702 Rose, R64 
1736 Sarah, R85-11 

WICKHAM 

Anna (-), R-99 

1668 Barbara (Holden), R-9 
1707 Barbara, R-9J 
1701 Benjamin, R-97 

1703 Charles, R-98 

7711723 Elizabeth (Collins), R-92 

1697 Gideon, R-94 
1695 John, R-93 

7711725 Hannah (Brewer), R-96 

1698 Mary, R-95 

7711743 Mary (Gardiner), R-97 
7711733 Rebecca (W 7 atmough), 
R-97 

dl720 Rebecca (Brewer), R-98 

1692 Sarah, R-91 
1664 Samuel, R-9 

1693 Samuel, R-92 
1700 Thomas, R-96 
1705 W illiam, R-99 

WIGHT 

7711866 Emily, 16451-8 
WTGHTMAN 

1673 Catherine (Holmes), R-12 
Z1700 Daniel, R-12 

WILBER — WILBORE 
1760 Asa, 199-42 
1758 Chloe, 199-41 
1764 Daniel, 199-45 
7711847 Henry B., 12254-J2 
1762 Holden, 199-43 
1739 Lemuel, 199-4 
1764 Tryphena, 199-44 

WILCOX 

7711811 Pluma, 12263-5 
WILDER 

(1850 James L., 2657-37 
7711824 Rebecca, 19312-L 

WILLARD 

7711843 Christopher L., 19472-22 
1783 Rhoda, 186-J4 

WITHERELL 
7711827 Electa, 19475-6 

WILLIAMS 

7711697 Bethia (Carter), 1-45 
tti 1817 Celinda, R864-2 

?1670 Elizabeth (-), 1-41 

7711820 Elizabeth, 21725-1 
(I860 George, 19248-81 

1674 Hannah, 1-44 

1694 Jason, 1-42 + 

1688 John, 1-42 

7711718 John, 1-42 + 

7711718 Marg’t (Gooding), 1-41 + 
7711666 Mary (Holden), 1-4 

1670 Mary (-), 1-42 

1672 Mary, 1-43 
m Mary E., 19484-74 
Roger, p. 384 
7711832 Sallv, 18654-2 
?1720 Sarah, 10-51 
7711697 Stephen, 1-45 
7711666 Thomas, 1-4 


1667 Thomas, 1-41 
77i William, 1962-61 

WILLEY — WTLEY 
7771804 Elizabeth, 1641-21 
Z1846 Malinda, 19471-66 
777 Rebecca, 1645-35 
/1850 W r illiam, 23418-2 

WILLIS 

1803 Esther, 12297-1 
Nancy, 22J21-3 

WILMARTH 
7771824 Benoni, 19312-9 

WILSON 
1670 Andrew, 1-44 
7771816 Asa, 1645-44 
Z1837 Benjamin F., 19471-61 
1841 Charles A., 18654-43 
1777 Deborah, 1962-51 

Deb’h (Stevenson )p. 49 
1674 Hannah (Williams), 1-44 
7771828 John S,. 18654-4 
1752 Joseph, 1962-5 
0800 Joseph, 1962-51 
1840 Mary J., 18654-42 

1838 Rebecca A., 18654-41 
Robert, p. 49 

7771793 Samuel, 1229-8 

1790 Samuel, 1962-53 
1789 Sophia, 1962-52 

WINCHESTER 
B., 1925-0 

WTNN 

7771833 Francis, 19815-1 

WINSHIP 
7771745 Anna, 16-13 

WISWALL 
Henry, 19651-7 
7771812 Nancy, 265-63 

WITCHER — WHICHER 
TT71777 Hannah, 194-51 

WITHINGTON 
Z1835 Moses, 2176-55 
Z1825 Otis, 2176-51 

WOGAN 

7771879 James L., 19652-67 
WOOD 

1755 Abel, 265-6 
1786 Abel, 265-63 
1798 Abraham, 265-08 

1835 Angeline, 2657-3J 
1784 Asaph, 265-62 

1791 Benjamin F., 265-65 
1795 Betsy, 265-67 

1824 Charles F., 2657-36 
7771836 Chloe, 19248-7 
1816 Elizabeth, 2657-33 
1782 Ezra, 265-61 
1814 Ezra H., 2657-32 
7771826 Horatio, 2172-73 
1833 Jane A., 2657-39 
1788 Joseph, 265-64 
1819 Lucy, 2657-34 
1800 Myra, 265-69 
7771811 Nathan, 2657-3 
1822 Nathan, 2657-35 
1812 Olive H., 19812-J 
1812 Orlando, 2657-31 
1793 Phebe, 265-66 
1829 Sarah E„ 2657-38 
i 1826 Susan R., 2657-37 

WOODBURY 

1836 Charles, 23414-15 

1839 George, 23414-16 
7771827 Stephen, 23414 


WOODHULL 

1817 Catherine (Eoff), 22J2-2 
WOODIS 

7771836 Nathan, 1229J-2 
1837 Sarah A., 1229J-21 

WOODROW 

Lorinda (Holden), 19249-21 

WOODS 
7771758 Hannah, 1966 
1770 Hannah, 1931-12 
7711774 John, 198 
7771768 Lemuel, 1931-1 
178- Levi, 1931-18 
1822 Lucina, 2622-51 
1776 Lydia, 1931-15 
1772 Molly, 1931-13 
1774 Stephen, 1931-14 

WOODWARD 
Asa, 19471-24 
Zl 840 Charles, 2176-64 
7771835 Erastus, 19471-21 

Nathaniel, 19471-22 
7771808 Solomon, 19471-2 
Solomon, 19471-21 
7771839 Sarah, 19471-25 

WOOLSON 

7711869 Mindana M., 26579-5 

WORCESTER 
1835 Abby E., 192J5-24 
1837 Charles H., 192J5-25 
1842 Frederick, 192J5-28 
1830 Frances E., 192J5-22 
1845 Franklin, 192J5-29 
777?1825 John N., 192J5-2 

1839 John H., 192J5-26 
7771845 Julia A., 19472-31 

1833 Martha, 192J5-23 
Z1808 Mary, 19254-2 

1840 Samuel, 192J5-27 
1827 Sarah C., 192J5-21 

WORDEN 
777 -, 19347-N 

WTtIGHT 

1842 Albert 1924J-4S 
1772 Carolina M., 192-19 
Cynthia, 1924J-42 
1848 Edgar, 1924J-44 
777 Eli, 1229-32 
7771852 Emily A., 26226-4 
Frederick, 1924J-6 
Horace, 1924J-41 
John, 1924J-6 
1855 John F., 1924J-62 
777 Mark, 1924J-4 
777 Mary, 19273-1 
1851 William H., 1924J-61 

WYLIE 

7771865 David, 19248-J 
1869 Mary E., 19248-J3 
1866 William D. H., 19248-J2 

WWMAN 
7771738 Alice, 12-51 
1705 Joanna, 186 
1809 Luther, 16414-11 
777 I 8 OI Nancv, 16417 
1818 Nancy E., 16414-13 
7771723 Rebecca, 185 
1817 Stillman, 16414-12 
7771807 Zadok, 16414-1 

YORK 

7771842 Sarah A., 23415-5 
ZUEL 

777 Nathan, 12252-24 




58 




























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